Applications of Computer Networks

A network is a collection or set of computing devices connected to one another to establish communication and also share available resources. A network will comprise software and hardware devices. You can have a network even if you are not connected to the internet. Computer networks make it possible for people to transfer files from one place to another and to communicate taking the shortest time possible.

Computer network applications are network software applications that utilize the Internet or other network hardware infrastructure to perform useful functions for example file transfers within a network. They help us to transfer data from one point to another within the network.

Pure Network Applications

These are applications created to be used in networks; using pure network applications on a single computer doesn’t make sense. They help us to transfer data and communicate within a network. Such applications have a separate and distinct user interface that users must learn for instance:

1. Email Programs: They allow users to type messages at their local nodes and then send them to someone on the network. It is a fast and easy way of transferring mail from one computer to another. Examples of electronic mail programs (Clients) are: Pegasus Mail Outlook Express Eudora Windows Mail Fox Mail Opera, Poco Mail Mozilla Thunderbird Windows Mail.

2. File Transfer Protocol (FTP):  This application facilitates the transfer of files from one computer to another e.g. from a client to a server.

There are two common processes involved in FTP

(i) Downloading: This is the process of obtaining files from a server to a workstation or a client (for example when you download programs and music from a server).

(ii) Uploading: This is obtaining files from a workstation to a server (for instance when you attach documents and upload them to a server, a good example being when you upload photos to Facebook).

Examples of FTP programs are: FTP in Unix FTP in Linux or FTP in Windows File Transfer Protocol Process

3.Terminal Emulation (TELNET)

It allows a workstation to access the server for an application program. This enables you to control the server and communicate with other servers on the network. The workstation appears as a down terminal that is directly attached to the server.

The user feels like he/she is using the server directly. TELNET enables PCs and workstations to function as dumb terminals in sessions with hosts on Internetworks.

4. Groupware

These applications are used to automate the administrative functions of a modern office for instance video conferencing and chatting. They facilitate the work of groups and improve their productivity; they can be used to communicate, cooperate, coordinate, solve problems, compete, and negotiate among others.

Video Conferencing: This is the process of conducting a conference between two or more participants at different sites by using computer networks to transmit audio and video data. For example, a point-to-point (two-person) video conferencing system works much like a video telephone. Each participant has a video camera, microphone, and speakers mounted on his or her computer. As the two participants speak to one another, their voices are carried over the network and delivered to the other speakers, and whatever images appear in front of the video camera appear in a window on the other participant’s monitor.

Chatting: It is real-time communication between two users via computer. Once a chat has been initiated, either user can enter text by typing on the keyboard and the entered text will appear on the other user’s monitor. The two must be online for a chat to be initiated. Most networks, cybers and online services offer a chat feature that enables computer users to chat as they go on with their work.

Stand Alone Applications

These are applications that run on stand-alone computers (computers not connected to any other). In order to extend their activity, they are rebuilt to run on network environments e.g. word processors, spreadsheets, database management systems, presentations graphics, project management, etc. They function even when the computer is offline.

Business Applications

Following are some business applications of computer networks:

1. Resource Sharing:

The goal is to make all programs, equipment (like printers, etc), and especially data, available to anyone on the network without regard to the physical location of the resource and the user.

2. Server-Client Model:

One can imagine a company’s information system as consisting of one or more databases and some employees who need to access it remotely. In this model, the data is stored on powerful computers called Servers. Often these are centrally housed and maintained by a system administrator. In contrast, the employees have simple machines, called Clients, on their desks, using which they access remote data.

3. Communication Medium:

A computer network can provide a powerful communication medium among employees. Virtually every company that has two or more computers now has e-mail (electronic mail), which employees generally use for a great deal of daily communication

4.eCommerce :

A goal that is starting to become more important in businesses is doing business with consumers over the Internet. Airlines, bookstores, and music vendors have discovered that many customers like the convenience of shopping from home. This sector is expected to grow quickly in the future. The most popular forms are listed in the below table :

Home Applications

Some of the most important uses of the Internet for home users are as follows: > Access to remote information Person-to-person communication locale >Interactive entertainment > Electronic commerce

Mobile Users

Mobile computers, such as notebook computers and Mobile phones, are one of the fastest-growing segments of the entire computer industry. Although wireless networking and mobile computing are often related, they are not identical, as the below table shows.

Computer networks have become invaluable to organizations as well as individuals. Some of its main uses are as follows:

Information and Resource Sharing: Computer networks allow organizations having units that are placed apart from each other, to share information in a very effective manner. Programs and software in any computer can be accessed by other computers linked to the network. It also allows the sharing of hardware equipment, like printers and scanners among varied users.

Retrieving Remote Information: Through computer networks, users can retrieve remote information on a variety of topics. The information is stored in remote databases to which the user gains access through information systems like the World Wide Web.

Speedy Interpersonal Communication: Computer networks have increased the speed and volume of communication like never before. Electronic Mail (email) is extensively used for sending texts, documents, images, and videos across the globe. Online communications have increased manifold times through social networking services.

E-Commerce: Computer networks have paved the way for a variety of business and commercial transactions online, popularly called e-commerce. Users and organizations can pool funds, buy or sell items, pay bills, manage bank accounts, pay taxes, transfer funds, and handle investments electronically.

Highly Reliable Systems: Computer networks allow systems to be distributed in nature, by virtue of which data is stored in multiple sources. This makes the system highly reliable. If a failure occurs in one source, then the system will still continue to function and data will still be available from the other sources.

Cost-Effective Systems: Computer networks have reduced the cost of establishment of computer systems in organizations. Previously, organizations needed to set up expensive mainframes for computation and storage. With the advent of networks, it is sufficient to set up interconnected personal computers (PCs) for this purpose.

VOIP: VOIP or Voiceover Internet protocol has revolutionized telecommunication systems. Through this, telephone calls are made digitally using Internet Protocols instead of the regular analog phone lines.