Computer Networks — Question 25

A network is an interconnected collection of autonomous computers that can share and exchange information and resources.

Major goals and applications of networks are :

1. Resource Sharing — Through a network, data, software and hardware resources can be shared irrespective of the physical location of the resources and the user.
2. Reliability — A file can have its copies on two or more computers of the network, so if one of them is unavailable, the other copies could be used. That makes a network more reliable.
3. Reduced Costs — Since resources can be shared, it greatly reduces the costs.
4. Fast communication — With networks, it is possible to exchange information at very fast speeds.