TYPES OF NETWORK In the world of computers, networking is the practice of linking two or more computing devices together for

the purpose of sharing data. Networks are built with a mix of computer hardware and computer software. Networks can be categorized in several different ways. One approach defines the type of network according to the geographic area it spans. Local area networks (LANs), for example, typically reach across a single home, whereas wide area networks (WANs), reach across cities, states, or even across the world. The Internet is the world's largest public WAN. Network Design Computer networks also differ in their design. The two types of high-level network design are called client-server and peer-to-peer. Client-server networks feature centralized server computers that store email, Web pages, files and or applications. On a peer-to-peer network, conversely, all computers tend to support the same functions. Client-server networks are much more common in business and peer-to-peer networks much more common in homes.

TOPOLOGY A network topology represents its layout or structure from the point of view of data flow. In so-called bus networks, for example, all of the computers share and communicate across one common conduit, whereas in a star network, all data flows through one centralized device. Common types of network topologies include bus, star, ring and mesh. 1. RING Topology

2. BUS Topology

3. STAR Topology

4. MESH Topology

5. TREE Topology

6. HYBRID Topology

LAN: Local Area Network

Typically connects computer in a single building or campus. Developed in 1970s. Medium: optical fibers, coaxial cables, twisted pair, wireless. Low latency (except in high traffic periods). High speed networks (0.2 to 100 Mbps). Speeds adequate for most distributed systems Problems : Multi media based applications Typically bus or ring topology Ethernet, Token Ring

MAN: Metropolitan Area Network

Generally covers towns and cities (50 km) Developed in 1980s. Medium: optical fibers, cables. Data rates adequate for distributed computing applications. A typical standard is DQDB (Distributed Queue Dual Bus). Typical latencies: < 1 ms. Message routing is fast.

WAN: Wide Area Network

Developed in 1960s. Generally covers large distances (states, countries, continents). Medium: communication circuits connected by routers. Routers forwards packets from one to another following a route from the sender to the receiver. Store-and-Forward Hosts are typically connected (or close to) the routers. Typical latencies: 100ms - 500ms. Problems with delays if using satellites. Typical speed: 20 - 2000 Kbps. Not (yet) suitable for distributed computing. New standards are changing the landscape.