Advantages and Disadvantages of LAN Local Area Network

Topic: Advantages and Disadvantages of LAN Local Area Network

What is LAN ? - Local Area Network

LAN stands for Local Area Network. It normally connects the computers and other devices within one office, building or a group of nearby buildings.

Advantages Disadvantages of LAN - Local Area Network

Advantages of LAN or Local Area Network

1. Resource Sharing

Computer hardware resources like printers, modems, DVD-Rom drives and hard disks can be shared with the help of local area networks. This will reduce cost of hardware purchases. For example, a business organization using a Local Area Network for an office can use a single network printer for the employees of this office.

2. Software Applications Sharing

It is cheaper to use same software over network instead of purchasing separate licensed software for each client in a network. It will cost more to purchase a separate licensed software for each computer in a network.

3. Easy and Cheap Communication

4. Centralized Data

The data of all network users can be saved on hard disk of the server computer. This will help users to use any workstation in a network to access their data. Because data is not stored on workstations locally. But it is stored on a server computer. User will access their own data by logging into their accounts from any client computer in the network.

5. Data Security

Since, data is stored on server computer centrally, it will be easy to manage data at only one place and the data will be more secure too, because of more security for the server computer.

6. Internet Sharing

Local Area Network provides the facility to share a single internet connection among all the LAN users. In Net Cafes, single internet connection sharing system keeps the internet expenses cheaper. Because only one high speed internet connection is purchased by a net cafe from any ISP - Internet Service Provider company.

This single high speed internet connection is managed on the server computer of the Net Cafe and available for all network clients with the help of Internet Connection Sharing facilities of the operating system.

Advantages and Disadvantages of LAN Local Area Network

Disadvantages of LAN or Local Area Network

1. High Setup Cost

Although the LAN will save cost over time due to shared computer resources but the initial setup costs of installing Local Area Networks is high. This is because any organization that will setup a network, will have to purchase necessary hardware equipment for networking.

It may require a sophisticated server computer - a Mini Computer, Network LAN cards, Network Routers, HUBS / Switches, Networking Cables (for wired networks only) and connectors etc. Additionally a Network technician will be required for setting up a new network in an organization.

If an organization has a large network, it must hire a network administrator for smooth running of network and solving any problems.

2. Privacy Violations

The LAN administrator has the rights to check personal data files of each and every LAN user. Moreover he can check the internet history and computer use history of the LAN users.

3. Data Security Threat

Unauthorized users can access important data of an organization if centralized data repository is not secured properly by the LAN administrator. LAN Administer is responsible for the security of the whole data resource in an organization.

LAN administrator will implement a fully functional security policy for database safety.

4. LAN Maintenance Job

5. Covers Limited Area

Local Area Network covers a small area like one office, one building or a group of nearby buildings.

Bus Topology Advantages Disadvantages

Bus Topology Bus topology is the simplest network topology . In bus topology , all computers in network are connected to a common communication wire. This wire is called BUS. Terminators are used at both ends of wire. Bus Topology is Cheap, easy to handle and implement. Bus Topology require less cable. Bus Topology is best suited for small networks. Working of Bus Topology with Advantages and Disadvantages Advantages of Bus Network Topology 1. It is very simple topology . 2. It is easy to use. 3. It needs small amount of wire for connecting computers. 4. It is less expensive due to small wire needed. 5. If one computer fails, it does not disturb the other computers in network. Other computers will continue to share information and other resources with other connected computers. Disadvantages of Bus Network Topology 1. Only small number of computers can be connected in a bus network . 2. Network speed slows down as the number of computer increases in b...

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