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What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a LAN?

Answer:
Bad things:
Power - a good LAN is required to be on all the times.
Security - each computer and device become another point of entry for undesirables.
Upkeep - when things go wrong or the software gets updated.
Frustration if having a problem setting up.
A lot of times a network shares one Internet connection - if all computers running at once, can reduce speed for each.
Area covered is limited.

Good things:
Easy to share devices (printers, scanners, external drives)
Easy to share data (homework, pictures..)
Build a complex enough one and you may get enough experience to get a new job.
Cost of LAN Setup is low.
First answer by The lord of boon. Last edit by Paulathomasson. Contributor trust: 253 [recommend contributor recommended]. Question popularity: 26 [recommend question].