The capabilities of computer network systems have unquestionably increased efficiency and productivity within the work environment, affording a large number of employees the ability to access, share and store files. As computer technology has continued to advance, making it possible to store more and more information on a computer network system, this efficiency and productivity has been taken to new heights. It is now easier than ever for employees operating on a computer network system to communicate with each other through email, instant messaging and video conferencing; share hardware, files, data, information and software; as well as save and store all of this information.
In the past there were definite limitations to a computer network system as the volume of files and information being stored could quickly limit the network’s operating abilities. Today those network systems have been built in such a manner that they can handle hundreds if not thousands of times the number of files and information without compromising the network’s performance capabilities. That isn’t to say today’s computer network systems will just outperform yesterday’s systems because of the newer technology.
As a matter of fact these bigger and better computer network systems actually demand more attention than those in the past simply because there is more at stake. With more files stored on a network the damage caused by a network crash can increase significantly, making it all the more important that these systems remain healthy and performing at their peak level.
For all the advancements made to computer network systems the same problem that effected past networks exist in the networks today, fragmentation. Because today’s networks are capable of so much more than their predecessors this computer disease can, by its nature, cause more damage and must be held in check to avoid catastrophe.
Fragmentation is a natural occurrence in network systems, methodically eating away at a system’s speed and reliability and eventually, if left unresolved, will lead to a crash. This is due to the fact that the manner in which those files and information are stored hasn’t changed, meaning the dangers are still present.
While the capacity of today’s computer network systems has grown the method by which files are saved hasn’t, simply put space is still paramount. A hard drive wants to maximize available space and to do this it stores files one after the next with no room between the two. When a file is recalled, modified and resaved it no longer fits in that original space so the excess information is cut and saved in the next available space, creating a fragmented file.
This may sound harmless enough but on a computer network system that enables any number of employees to access, change and resave files it can quickly become problematic. There is no limit to how many times a file can become fragmented and it is not uncommon for a single file to be broken into hundreds if not thousands of pieces, all spread out across the hard drive. Each time that file is recalled the difficult task of gathering those pieces is undertaken before it can be delivered to the employee.
Obviously this can take time and while this slowdown may appear to be an inconvenience it can cost a company a lot of money in lost productivity. Fragmentation doesn’t just slow down the process of retrieving a fragmented file, it slows down the process of everything on a computer network system; making communication more troublesome, accessing the Internet more taxing and presenting greater difficulty accessing software and applications.
On top of all the slow down issues related to fragmentation, the computer disease can also compromise a network system’s reliability. A network that has an extensive amount of fragmented files can easily lose information as those files become harder and harder to piece together. Any successful company knows that reliability is a must and it only takes one event to ruin a reputation that can bring about the downfall of a business.
To avoid such an event the integrity of a computer network system has to be at the top of any company’s concerns. Fortunately keeping fragmentation in check can be a simple task as companies like Diskeeper have designed defragmentation software that can reverse the damage caused by fragmentation as well as prevent a reoccurrence of the computer disease.
By installing defragmentation software a company’s computer network system can operate at its intended capacity, dramatically improving its speed and reliability. Defrag software will also increase productivity within a workplace as employees are able to access the information they need in a timely manner while also improving the communication lines established within the computer network system.
With the competitive environment in which businesses operate everything matters but few things matter more than their computer network system. Take the time to protect your company’s network with defragmentation software and you’ll find your workplace to be more productive and efficient.
