| Developments in communication systems, | | | | network file system. To prevent access of |
| networks, and the Internet have allowed a lot of | | | | information by unauthorized users, authentication |
| employees to do their work from the comfort of | | | | of the user is done before he or she logs onto |
| their homes. This is not only convenient for the | | | | the network. Authentication can be of three |
| worker but also is a cost cutting measure from | | | | classes. The first class includes a mere log in ID |
| the companys perspective. Many such workers | | | | and password. Second level of authentication is |
| prefer to have a computer personally for them. | | | | done by checking for an item possessed by the |
| The drop in computer prices too, has played a | | | | user, for example, an ATM card or a pass key. |
| major role in allowing people to have more than | | | | The most secured authentication service will ask |
| one computer at home. This calls for computer | | | | for a retinal or fingerprint scan before allowing the |
| network services that provide a direct link | | | | user to connect to the network. |
| between all the computers in the perimeter of a | | | | Directory services allow the users of the network |
| home, office, and building. | | | | to gain access to any private information of the |
| Computer network services usually operate on a | | | | network, which may be present as a database. |
| Local Area Network (LAN) to provide high | | | | This usually requires software which will accept, |
| security and a user-friendly operation. It is their | | | | organize and save the data given by different |
| responsibility to make sure that the LAN runs | | | | users into one main database which can be |
| smoothly at all times and if any faults do arise, it | | | | viewed by every other user. Internal boundaries |
| is up to them to rectify it as soon as possible. It | | | | can be provided to restrict the information to |
| would be ideal if these rectifications are done | | | | certain users only. |
| before the faults affect the users. Each computer | | | | One of the pre requisites of computer network |
| on the server is given an IP address and a DNS | | | | services in large offices is the email facility. Each |
| (Domain Naming System) to avoid conflicts | | | | user is provided with an email ID on the server. |
| between the PCs. Names are preferred over IP | | | | The user can send and receive mails from this ID |
| addresses because people find it easier to | | | | only if he or she is using a PC that is networked |
| remember a name like "d.lin" or PC1, PC2, etc, | | | | to the server. The account cannot be accessed |
| compared to a 12 digit number, such as | | | | from outside the server. Sharing of hardware |
| 192.168.100.123. | | | | components like printers, scanners, etc. is a |
| The various services that come along with | | | | common service used in several homes and |
| networking solutions include - Authentication, | | | | offices. Networking solutions provide several other |
| Directory services, DNS, email, printing, DHCP | | | | features that are quite helpful in saving time and |
| (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) and | | | | improving the efficiency of all working people. |