A local area network (LAN) has several benefits such as:
you can share peripherals like expensive laser printers.
a fileserver can be used to store and share documents and files centrally.
electronic messages (email) can be sent between computers.
the computers on the network can be centrally managed.
What are the advantages of having a network?
Advantages. Sharing devices such as printers saves money. Site (software) licences are likely to be cheaper than buying several standalone licences. Files can easily be shared between users. Network users can communicate by email and instant messenger.
What is the topology of a network?
The most common nodes are computers and peripheral devices. Network topology is illustrated by showing these nodes and their connections using cables. There are a number of different types of network topologies, including point-to-point, bus, star, ring, mesh, tree and hybrid.
What is meant by the topology of a network?
A network topology is the pattern in which nodes (i.e., computers, printers, routers or other devices) are connected to a local area network (LAN) or other network via links (e.g., twisted pair copper wire cable or optical fiber cable). There are four principal topologies used in LANs: bus, ring, star and mesh.