Evolution of Computer Networks and Their Improvement - Essay Example

Computer Networks Computer Networks Introduction The term computer network is used to refer to a network that is based on the systemof telecommunications and it enables more than one computer to share and transfer data with other computers and this is why it is even recognized as data network. The data is communicated between two or more computers takes place through links of networks which are even recognized as data connections. Computer networks have evolved over the past 65 years and have several uses. Computer networks came into existence during the period of 1950s and today computer networks are considered as the most significant form of communication that takes place between computers as well as their users. Initially computer networks were used for military purposes, but today every a huge population of individuals as well as businesses use computer networks to communicate with each other. Computer networks have become quite wide spread and the sole reason due to which these network enjoy such popularity is that these networks allow individuals to communicate those pieces of information that once mankind could not even imagine to communicate. Even though, computer networks have become so popular, these networks have several disadvantages associated with it and this is the reason why these networks are even highly criticized. Body Evolution Of Computer Networks And Their Improvement Computer networks are not a very old concept and they are not even a very new one. Computer networks that individuals experience in the era of 2015 came into existence during the period of 1940 when an individual named George Stibitz transferred information and data from a machine called Teletype machine to a calculator and then utilized the same method to send information from the calculator to the machine (Casey, 2011, p.608). This activity is the base of the computer networks that the society in the 21st century enjoys. During the period of 1950s the first and the foremost computer network was experienced in the shape of a radar system that was utilized by the armed forces and this radar system was recognized as SAGE (Semi-Automatic Ground Environment) (Casey, 2011, p.608). By the period of 1960 the first ever computers were connected with each other (Casey, 2011, p.608). These computers were mainframes and these computers were used for the purpose of allowing users to reserve airline tickets in a semi-automatic manner. Approximately two years later researchers such as JCR Licklider became interested in connecting output based hardware with such as teletypewriters with a computer and for this purpose he developed a group called ARPA (Advanced Research Projects Agency) (Casey, 2011, p.608). During the period of 1964 with the help of a research a system was created for different users of large sized computers who were located in a distributed manner and this system was recognized as the Dartmouth Time Sharing System (Casey, 2011, p.608). During the same year a concept recognized as Intergalactic Computer Network came into existence and this concept allowed different users of different computers to share and access computer software installed on each other’s computers throughout the world and this sharing could only take place between computers that were connected through the same network (Casey, 2011, p.609). During the period of 1965, great improvement in computer networks was witnessed when these networks for the management of different telephonic connections and in the same year the first even WAN (Wide Area Network came into existence (Casey, 2011, p.609). Approximately seven years later an infrastructure that was recognized as X.25 was created and implemented and this infrastructure was then used for the purpose of the expansion of TCP/IP networks (Casey, 2011, p.609). During the period of 1991, the world witnessed the development of home broadband and five years later computer networks became more advanced with the invention of 56K modem (Casey, 2011, p.609). During the year of 2001 the system of home broadband was commercialized and it gained immense popularity over dial-up based internet and started spreading like fire. During the period of 2009 and 2010 there was huge growth and interest in the spread of 10 and 100 gigabit Ethernet (Casey, 2011, p.609). Today in the era of 2015, computer networks are used almost in every part of the world for various purposes and these networks are continuing to grow and spread. Advantages Of Computer Network There are various benefits that can be derived by individual as well as business users of computer networks. One of the main advantages of using computer network is that it allows individuals to access same data at the same time (Elahi, 2001, p.2). In various instances individuals working together under one organization may need to access same data and that too at the same moment and computer networks help in ensuring that data can easily be accessed by all connected computers at the same time. For example; within an organization individuals working in the sales as well as individuals working in the finance department may need to access the organization’s financial statement at the same time. This financial statement can be accessed by individuals working in both the department at the same time with the help of computer networks. Computer networks even allow different users to share and access same hardware as well as peripheral devices. There are various peripheral devices that are used within an organization at the same time (Elahi, 2001, p.9). These peripheral devices may include expensive devices such as laser printers. Since these peripheral devices are so expensive, organizations cannot house more than one or can only house a few of these devices. Computer networking allows organizations and its members to share these peripheral devices as it allows all computers to connect with one single device at the same time. Therefore, computer networking even enables an organization to decrease its operational cost as it does not require organizations to purchase expensive peripheral devices in huge quantities. A third major benefit of using computer networking is that it helps in keeping files as well as hardware secure from the access of unauthorized individuals (Elahi, 2001, p.4). In an organization, access to various files is limited to a small number of people. These files mostly include secretive information and are only limited to the access of the most important and trustworthy individuals of an organization. Computer networking allows organizations to encrypt and password protect these files and this in turn limits the accessibility of important files to the authorized population only. Computer networks even enable organizations to keep their data secured by allowing members of the organization to back up their data (Elahi, 2001, p.3). In prior days, individuals used to use single storage devices such as CD, flash drives and other storage devices to store their own data. Due to this organizations had to store and protect huge number of storage devices in order to ensure that the data is readily available to the organization to make strategic decisions. Computer networking has allowed employees working within an organization to share and store data on one single device instead of storing data on several storage devices. Computer networking even enables organizations to reduce duplication of work and allows organizations to increase its productivity (Elahi, 2001, p.3). Within an organization there are many similar tasks that are performed by different departments of the organization. When computer networking did not exist or was in its initial phases, all departments used to perform certain similar tasks. Computer networking has allowed organizations to perform a single task in a single department and these tasks are then shared on the network which enables other departments to access the same task and this leads to decrease in duplication of work. For example in prior years the attendance of employees used to be managed by different departments. Different departments used to record their own employees attendance. Computer networking has allowed the recording of attendance to be performed in one department and then this information is shared with the other departments. Computer networking has allowed individuals working within one shelter to communicate with each other in a fast paced manner and has even reduced the cost that was associated with communication taking place between members of the same organization (Elahi, 2001, p.3). Computer networking has allowed organizations to develop separate email addresses for separate employees. These emails are used within the organization by the members of the organization to communicate with each other without the requirement of an internet. Other than emails computer networking has allowed individuals working in different areas of an organization to communicate with each other in a face to face manner with the use of video conferencing. These networks even allow members to share text based messages with other members of the organization through computer networking. Disadvantages Of Computer Networks There are various benefits of computer networks, but at the same time organizations as well as individuals even experience various disadvantages due to computer networks. This does not mean that organizations and individuals should stop utilizing computer networks for its benefits. This rather means that users of computer networks need to take precautionary measures to avoid any negative outcomes of using computer networks. One of the main disadvantages associated with computers networks is the ease with which these networks can be hacked (Meador, 2015). Computer networks of an organization consist of various computers that are connected with each other and these computers share information over the network. If a hacker breaks into a single computer, he/she can only gain access to limited amount of an organization’s information. On the other hand, if a hacker is able to break into the computer network of an organization, the probability is that the hacker will be able to access all the information. They might even end up benefiting from very secretive information that has been shared over the network. This is why it is necessary for organizations to implement strict protocols to safeguard their network. Computers that are connected through a network have a higher risk of being infected by a virus and this may lead to loss of huge amount of data and this may even lead to the corruption of the data stored over the network (Meador, 2015). In case of standalone computers, if a computer is infected with virus on the information that is stores on that computer is corrupted or may be lost. But if even one computer over a computer network is infected with virus, the likelihood of other computers that are connected through the network becoming infected with virus is quite high. This is because the computer that is infected with virus may have files that are corrupted with virus and these files may be shared over the network. If other computers on the network access these files, those computers may even get infected with virus. Computer networks are quite difficult to maintain and due to this it is quite expensive to manage these networks. In order to manage a computer network it is essential for an organization to outsource their networking activities or they need to hire network administrators who maintain and control the network (Meador, 2015). The cost of hiring network administrators as well as outsourcing networking activities is quite expensive for different sizes of organizations. Furthermore, computer networks can even result in loss of productivity for an organization. An organization that allows different computers to access and depend on one single or a few hardware devices through computer networks can face loss of productivity if the hardware device breaks down or even if the network breaks down. Conclusion Computer networks have existed for over 65 years of time period and during this time frame these networks have experienced various improvements. There are several benefits as well as disadvantages associated with computer networks. Computer networks increases the productivity of an organization as these networks allow sharing of work done by one department with other departments of the organization. These networks reduce the expenditure of resources as they allow different users to access different resources such as expensive peripheral devices over the network. Computer networks have even enabled organization in securing their data by allowing users to back up their data on one single data storage device. It even allows organizations to password protect information so unauthorized individuals may not access certain pieces of information. Computer networks have increased the speed and decreased the cost of communication that takes place between different members of the organization. On the other hand computer networks are quite easily prone to virus as well as hackers. Computer networks can result in loss of productivity if devices that are attached with the network stop operating and organizations even have to bare huge sum of money in order to maintain computer networks. References Casey, E. (2011). Digital Evidence and Computer Crime: Forensic Science, Computers, and the Internet. Burlington: Elsevier Science. Elahi, A. (2001). Network communications technology. Albany, NY: Delmar. Meador, B. (2015). A Survey of Computer Network Topology and Analysis Examples. Cse.wustl.edu. Retrieved 5 May 2015, from http://www.cse.wustl.edu/~jain/cse567-08/ftp/topology/ Read More