USES OF COMPUTER NETWORKS

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CS114
Network Technology I
USES OF COMPUTER NETWORKS
By Mr. Soriano
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Why people are interested in computer networks
and what can they be used for?
1.1.1. Network for companies
By Mr. Soriano
Resource sharing A network is needed because of
the desire to make all programs, data, and
equipment available to anyone on the network
without regard to the physical location of the
resource and the user.
High reliability A network may have alternative
sources of supply (e.g., replicated files,
multiple CPUs, etc.). In case of one resource
failure, the others could be used and the system
continues to operate at reduced performance. This
is a very important property for military,
banking, air traffic control, and many other
applications.
Saving money A network may consist of many
powerful small computers, one per user, with data
kept on one or more shared file server machines,
which offers a much better price/performance
ratio than mainframes.
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Scalability The ability to increase system
performance gradually by adding more processors
(incremental upgrade).
By Mr. Soriano
Powerful communication medium Networks make
cooperation among far-flung groups of people easy
where it previously had been impossible.
1.1.2. Networks for people
Starting in the 1990s, computer networks began to
start delivering services to private individuals
at home.
? Home reservations for airplanes, trains,
hotels, restaurants, theaters, and so on,
anywhere in the world with instant confirmation.
? Home banking and shopping.
? On-line and personalized electronic newspapers,
journals, and libraries.
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? Access to WWW (World Wide Web) which contains
information about many topics
By Mr. Soriano
1.1.3. Social issues
The widespread introduction of networking will
introduce new social, ethical, political
problems

• ? Should subjects be regulated if newsgroups are
  set up on topics, such as politics, religion, or
  sex ?

? Should network operators be responsible for the
contents of what they carry, just as newspapers
and magazines are ?

• ?Should employers have the right to read and
  possibly censor employee messages ?