Computer Network

Introduction:
Computer Networks are often differentiated based on the connection mode, like wired or wireless.
They are categorized into different types depending on the requirement of the network channel.
The network established is used to connect multiple devices to share software and hardware
resources and tools.
In this article on ‘Types of Networks,’ we will look into different types of networks and some of
their important features.
What Is a Computer Network?
A computer network is a connection between two or more network devices, like computers,
routers, and switches, to share network resources.

Or,
A computer network is a collection of computers and other peripheral devices that are connected
in order to exchange data and hardware resources. Computer networks aid in sharing of
information, sharing of resources, storage efficiency, and timely communication, among other
things.

The establishment of a computer network depends on the requirements of the communication

channel, i.e., the network can be wired or wireless.
Next, let’s look into the types of networks available.
Types of Networks
According to the communication requirements, multiple types of network connections are
available. The most basic type of network classification depends on the network's geographical
coverage.

Below mentioned are different types of networks:

• PAN (Personal Area Network)
• LAN (Local Area Network)
• MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)
• WAN (Wide Area Network)
Let’s look into each of the network types in detail.
What is PAN(Personal Area Network)?
o Personal Area Network is a network arranged within an individual person, typically within
a range of 10 meters.
o Personal Area Network is used for connecting the computer devices of personal use is
known as Personal Area Network.
o Thomas Zimmerman was the first research scientist to bring the idea of the Personal Area
Network.
o Personal Area Network covers an area of 30 feet.
o Personal computer devices that are used to develop the personal area network are the
laptop, mobile phones, media player and play stations.
There are two types of Personal Area Network:

o Wired Personal Area Network

o Wireless Personal Area Network
Wireless Personal Area Network: Wireless Personal Area Network is developed by simply using
wireless technologies such as WiFi, Bluetooth. It is a low range network.
Wired Personal Area Network: Wired Personal Area Network is created by using the USB.
What Is Local Area Network (LAN)?

The Local Area Network (LAN) is designed to connect multiple network devices and systems
within a limited geographical distance. The devices are connected using multiple protocols for
properly and efficiently exchanging data and services.
Attributes of LAN Network:
• The data transmit speed in the LAN network is relatively higher than the other network
types, MAN and WAN.
• LAN uses private network addresses for network connectivity for data and service
exchange, and it uses cable for network connection, decreasing error and maintaining data
security.
What Is Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)?

The Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) is a network type that covers the network connection of
an entire city or connection of a small area. The area covered by the network is connected using a
wired network, like data cables.
Attributes of MAN Network:
• Network covers an entire town area or a portion of a city.
• Data transmission speed is relatively high due to the installation of optical cables and wired
connections.

What Is Wide Area Network (WAN)?

The Wide Area Network (WAN) is designed to connect devices over large distances like states or
between countries. The connection is wireless in most cases and uses radio towers for
communication.
The WAN network can be made up of multiple LAN and MAN networks.
Attributes of WAN Network:
• The speed of the WAN data transfer is lower than in comparison to LAN and MAN
networks due to the large distance covered.
• The WAN network uses a satellite medium to transmit data between multiple locations and
network towers.

Difference Between LAN, MAN, and WAN

Parameter LAN MAN WAN

Full Form LAN is an acronym for MAN is an acronym for WAN is an acronym for
Local Area Network. Metropolitan Area Wide Area Network.
Network.

Definition and LAN is a network that MAN is a comparatively The WAN network spans
Meaning usually connects a small wider network that to an even larger locality.
group of computers in a covers large regions- It has the capacity to
given geographical area. like towns, cities, etc. connect various countries
together. For example,
the Internet is a WAN.

Network The LAN is private. The MAN can be both The WAN can also be
Ownership Hospitals, homes, private or public. Many both private or public.
schools, offices, etc., organizations and
may own it. telecom operators may
own them.

Maintenance Very easy to design and Comparatively difficult Very difficult to design
and Designing maintain. to design and maintain. and maintain.

Speed LAN offers a very high MAN offers a moderate WAN offers a low
Internet speed. Internet speed. Internet speed.
 Delay in It faces a very short It faces a moderate It faces a high
Propagation propagation delay. propagation delay. propagation delay.

Faulty The LAN exhibits a The MAN exhibits a The WAN also exhibits a
Tolerance better fault tolerance than lesser fault tolerance. lesser fault tolerance.
the rest of the networks.

Congestion The congestion in the It exhibits a higher It exhibits a higher

network is very low. network congestion. congestion in the
network.

Communication LAN typically allows a MAN allows multiple A huge group of

Allotment single pair of devices to computers to interact computers can easily
establish a simultaneously with interact with each other
communication. But it each other. using the WAN.
may also support more
computers.

Uses Schools, homes, It basically covers a city, It covers an entire

colleges, hospitals, a small town, or any country, a subcontinent,
offices, etc., can given area with a bigger or an equivalent area.
privately use it. radius than the LAN.

Computer network topology

Computer network topology refers to the physical communication schemes used by connected
devices on a network. The basic computer network topology types are:
1. Fully connected
2. Bus topology
3. Star topology
4. Ring topology
5. Tree topology
6. Mesh topology
7. Hybrid topology
8. Dual Ring topologies
9. Linear-topologies
Bus Network Topology
Bus networks share a common connection that extends to all devices. This network topology is
used in small networks, and it is simple to understand. Every computer and network device
connects to the same cable, so if the cable fails, the whole network is down, but the cost of setting
up the network is reasonable. This type of networking is cost effective. However, the connecting
cable has a limited length, and the network is slower than a ring network.

Features:
• Simple and Cheap: Easy to set up and doesn’t need much cable.
• Limitations: If the main cable fails, the whole network stops working.
• Performance: Slows down if too many devices are added.
Ring Network Topology
Each device in a ring network is attached to two other devices, and the last device connects to the
first to form a circular network. Each message travels through the ring in one direction— clockwise
or counterclockwise—through the shared link. Ring topology that involves a large number of
connected devices requires repeaters. If the connection cable or one device fails in a ring network,
the whole network fails. Although ring networks are faster than bus networks, they are more
difficult to troubleshoot.

Features:
• Orderly Data Flow: Data travels around the circle until it reaches its destination.
• Failure Impact: If one connection fails, the whole network can be disrupted, but some
systems use a backup ring to prevent this.
Star Network Topology
Star Network Topology typically uses a network hub or switch and is common inhome networks.
Every device has its own connection to the hub. The performance of a star network depends on the
hub. If the hub fails, the network is down for all connected devices. The performance of the
attached devices is usually high because there are usually fewer devices connected in star topology
that in other types of networks. A star network is easy to set up and easy to troubleshoot. The cost
of setup is higher than for bus and ring network topology, but if one attached device fails, the other
connected devices are unaffected.

Features:
• Reliable: If one cable fails, other devices are not affected.
• Easy to Add Devices: Adding or removing devices is simple.
• Central Point: The hub is a critical point; if it fails, the whole network stops.
Tree Network Topology
Tree topology integrates the star and bus topologies in a hybrid approach to improve network
scalability. The network is setup as a hierarchy, usually with at least three levels. The devices on
the bottom level all connect to one of the devices on the level above it. Eventually, all devices lead
to the main hub that controls the network. This type of network works well in companies that have
various grouped
workstations. The system is easy to manage and troubleshoot. However, it is relatively costly to
set up. If the central hub fails, then the network fails.

Features:
• Organized: Easy to manage with a clear parent-child setup.
• Expandable: You can easily add more devices by extending branches.
• Central Point: If the root node fails, it can affect the whole network.
Mesh Network Topology
Mesh network topology provides redundant communication paths between some or all devices in
a partial or full mesh. In full mesh topology, every device is connected to all the other devices. In
a partial mesh topology, some of the connected devices or systems are connected to all the others,
but some of the devices only connect to a few other devices. Mesh is robust and troubleshooting
is relatively easy. However, installation and configuration are more complicated than with the star,
ring and bus topologies.

Features:
• Very Reliable: Multiple paths mean if one connection fails, others still work.
• High Performance: Many paths for data to travel, so it can be fast.
• Complex and Costly: More connections mean more cost and complexity.

Hybrid Topology
A hybrid topology is defined as a network topology that combines two or more different network
topologies. A hybrid topology can be a combination of bus topology, ring topology and mesh
topology. The selection of different types of network topologies combined together depends upon
the number of computers, their location, and the required performance. In the hybrid topology
network sections consist of a configuration of different types of network topologies. The structure
of hybrid topology is more complex but offers various advantages such as flexibility and fault
tolerance.

Features:
• Flexible: Uses the best parts of different topologies for specific needs.
• Complex: Can be complicated to set up and manage.
• Scalable: Can grow and adapt to different requirements.

What is Network Architecture?

Network Architecture is the way in which computer systems are organized and interconnected to
form a network. It refers to the design and implementation of a network infrastructure that allows
communication and data transfer between various devices and applications. Network architecture
provides a framework for organizing and managing network resources such as hardware, software,
and protocols. It enables businesses to achieve their objectives by ensuring that their network
infrastructure is reliable, secure, and scalable.
What are the types of Network Architecture?
There are two types of network architecture:
1. Client-server architecture: In this architecture, the network is organized around a central
server that provides services and resources to client devices. The server manages network
traffic, storage, and security, while client devices access resources through the server.
2. Peer-to-peer architecture: In this architecture, all devices in the network are considered
equal and can share resources and services with each other. There is no central server, and
each device can communicate directly with other devices on the network.
Difference Between Client-Server and Peer-to-Peer Network

Client-Server Network Peer-to-Peer Network

In Client-Server Network, Clients and server

In Peer-to-Peer Network, Clients and server
are differentiated, Specific server and clients
are not differentiated.
are present.

Client-Server Network focuses on While Peer-to-Peer Network focuses on

information sharing. connectivity.

In Client-Server Network, Centralized server While in Peer-to-Peer Network, Each peer

is used to store the data. has its own data.

While in Peer-to-Peer Network, Each and

In Client-Server Network, Server respond
every node can do both request and respond
the services which is request by Client.
for the services.

Client-Server Network are costlier than Peer- While Peer-to-Peer Network are less costlier
to-Peer Network. than Client-Server Network.

Client-Server Network are more stable than While Peer-to-Peer Network are less stable if
Peer-to-Peer Network. number of peer is increase.

While Peer-to-Peer Network is generally

Client-Server Network is used for both small
suited for small networks with fewer than 10
and large networks.
computers.