Computerized management of radiology department: Installation and use of local area network(LAN) by personal computers

ABSTRACT

There is increasing need for network connecting personal computers(PC) together. Thus Local Area Network(LAN) emerged, which was designed to allow multiple computers to access and share multiple files and programs and expensive peripheral devices and to communicate with each user. We built PC-LAN in our department that consisted of 1) hardware-9 sets of personal computers(IBM compatible 80386 DX, 1 set80286 AT, 8sets) and cables and network interface cards (Ethernet compatible, 16bits) that connected PC and peripheral devices 2) software - network operating system and database management system. We managed this network for 6 months. The benefits of PC-LAN were 1) multiuser (share multiple files and programs, peripheral devices) 2) real time data processing 3) excellent expandibility and flexibility, compatibility, easy connectivity 4) single cable for networking ) rapid data transmission 6) simple and easy installation and management 7) using conventional PC's software running under DOS(Disk Operating System) without transformation 8) low networking cost. In conclusion, PC-LAN provides an easier and more effective way to manage multiuser database system needed at hospital departments instead of more expensive and complex network of minicomputer or mainframe.