Network Computing

What Does Network Computing Mean?

Network computing refers to the use of computers and other devices in a linked network, rather than as unconnected, stand-alone devices. As computing technology has progressed during the last few decades, network computing has become more frequent, especially with the creation of cheap and relatively simple consumer products such as wireless routers, which turn the typical home computer setup into a local area network.

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Techopedia Explains Network Computing

In network computing, computers often share broadband and other resources. Many larger business networks also share hard drive space, where any networked computer has access to the same data through a server or other hardware setup. Networking can be a more efficient way to deliver more functionality to a large number of computers or devices. In some cases, for example, a network may allow for lower software licensing fees than buying the software for a specific number of stand-alone devices.

More recent developments have made network computing more sophisticated. One is the process of network virtualization, where hardware networks may be logically partitioned. Another is cloud computing, where the shared network resources can be located remotely for greater data security.

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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…