• The files need a backup system. This would normally involve a RAID system
• Access priveleges need to be defined where the users level of access is restricted to the files they need

The advantages of using a file server and file sharing are:

• easy to share files
• everyone knows where the files are located
• data is more secure (access rights as well as backups)

• sharing resources
• saving physical space. Instead of say 5 printers a company may only need 1 or 2
• Bullet lists do not have added space above or below
• To create a blank space above or below enter a blank line

• mail servers
• web servers
• database server

• Hubs: Traditionally a hub is one of the most critical devices for a LAN because it was normally the point of central connection of all shared devices, however they are largely being superseded by switches. A typical LAN will have multiple ports to which devices will connect. A hub will not be intelligent. In other words any packet received will be sent to all connected devices but only the device which it is addressed to will answer. Because of its lack of ability to address packets for the intended computer a hub will not be as efficient as other devices.
• Switches: Are similar to routers but will also amplify the signal like a repeater. Most switches are normally thought of as being a device which filters and forwards segments within LAN segments. These swictes worked on the layer 2 of the OSI model. Layer 2 is the data layer. This meant that switches could not transfer data between networks because they did not have access to the protocols. The new switches are also refrred to as routing switches and work at OSI layer 3 which is the network layer and can actually perform the same functions as a router. (Microsoft: networking Essentials Plus, 3rd edition pages 312-316 ATM switches), (webopedia: routing switches )
• Routers : Routers are located at gateways, the places where two or more networks connect. Routers also have the added intelligence of providing an alternate path to a node. Unlike hubs, routers are intelligent devices which rout packets of data directly to the intended computer. A large network may have 25 LANs with large numbers of users on each of them and may support 500 or thousands of users. If we were depending on hubs relaying every message out to every computer and waiting for the correct computer to accept the message the network would collapse with only minimal amount of traffic ever able to use it. That is why routers are critical.
• Gateways: A gateway connects a LAN to the internet and external traffic. It may be a router with a hardware configured firewall or a server may act as a gateway.
• Repeaters: amplify the signal when a LAN is spread over a larger area than normal.
• Bridges: Join two or more LANS. They are similar to routers but can only make binary decision dependent on information stored in its IP Address table. A bridge will not allow traffic to pass unless it is addressed to one of the addresses in that table. Because of this bridges can be used as a security device to stop traffic between different parts of a LAN.
• Network Interface Card : The network interface card (NIC) allows computers to connect through an ethernet. An ethernet cable will connect to the NIC and then directly to another computer in a P2P connection or to a router, hub, switch etc...