Benefits and disadvantages of networked
computer systems
To assist the learners, you can use these example answers.
Benefits
● You can share devices such as printers,
thereby saving money
● Files can easily be shared between users
● Users can work collaboratively on
documents
● Users can connect with other users in
different countries
● A network allows for electronic
communication, such as email or instant
messages
● Software can be shared across all of the
computers in a network
● Storage can be shared and better utilized
● It is easier to back data up from a
networked computer to a remote server
● Data can be stored centrally
● It is more reliable: if one computer
crashes, data is not lost
Disadvantages
● Networking equipment can be expensive
● Managing networks is complicated, and
employing staff to do the job can be
expensive
● Viruses can spread from one computer
to another in the same network
● Hacking of computers becomes much
more likely when connected to a
network
● Security of the computers attached to a
network is much more complicated
● Piracy and illegal copying of data is
easier across a network