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Computer and
Network Architecture
Phase-II Study Notes
For NABARD Gr. A IT Officer Exam
Computer-Network-Architecture Free static e-book

Computer and Network

Architecture
Phase-II Study Notes for NABARD Gr. A IT Officer Exam

Introduction
• Computer networks are usually developed to fulfil the needs of their clients and
users.

• Network architecture generally refers to the design of a computer network or

communications network.

• It simply describes allocation tasks between all of the computers in the network. It is
simply a way in which all network devices and services are organized and managed to
connect clients like laptops, tablets, servers, etc. and also how tasks are allocated to
the computer.

• It also facilitates system-level functionality even robustness, extensibility, and

evolvability.

• It is basically defined and described as the physical and logical design of software,
hardware, protocols, and media of data transmission.

Classification of Networks Architecture - Based on the Use of Computer Nodes

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1. Peer-to-Peer Network

• In the P2P (Peer-to-Peer) network, “peers” generally represent a computer

system. These peers are connected to each other with help of the Internet.

• Files might be shared directly without the requirement of a central server

among these systems on the network.

• It can be said that each computer on a P2P network usually becomes a file
server or even a client also.

• In this architecture, the system is generally decomposed into various

computational nodes that contain the same and equivalent capabilities,
abilities, and responsibilities.

• In this network, tasks are allocated to each and every device available on the
network. This network is very essential and important for small
environments, usually up to at least 10 computers.

• There is also no separate division of clients and servers. Each and every
computer in this network are treated the same and equally and might send
or even receive a message directly.

• This P2P network is generally useful in various fields such as business,

education, military, etc.

• A dedicated server or centralized is not very essential, so a P2P network is less

costly and is very cheaper.

• It is affordable.
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• P2P is very simple and not complex. This is because all computers that are
connected in a network communicate efficient and well-mannered with each
other.

• It is very easy and simple to set up and manage as installation and setup are
less painless and the computer manages itself. This is because of built-in
support in modern operating systems.

• Security is one of the major issues in this type of network. This is because the
message that is sent flows freely among connected computers.

• If the computer working with some of the resources is down and sharing of
resources might become a major problem.

• Performance, security, and access can also become major problems and
headaches with an increase in the number of computers on this network.

2. Client/Server Network

• CSN (Client/Server Network) is a type of computer network in which one

centralized and powerful computer (commonly called a server) is a hub to
which many personal computers that are less powerful or workstations
(commonly known as clients) are connected.

• It is a type of system where clients are connected to a server to just share or

use resources. These servers are generally considered the heart of the system.
This type of network is more stable and scalable compared to a P2P network.

• In this architecture, the system is generally decomposed into client and server
processors or processes. This architecture supports the separation of
functionality commonly based on the concept of service.
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Advantages
• A special Network Operating System (NOS) is provided by the server to
provide resources to many users that request them.

• It is also very easy and simple to set up and manage data updates. This
is because data is generally stored in a centralized manner on a server.

• The server usually controls resources and data security.

• This network also boosts the speed of sharing resources.

• If anyhow the server goes down or crashes, the entire will be affected
by this.

• It is very expensive as compared to a P2P. This is due to needing for

servers with greater memory as well as the need for many networking
devices such as hubs, routers, switches, etc.

• The cost of NOS being provided is very high.

What is Network Architecture?

• Network architecture refers to a network’s structural and logical layout.

• It describes how the network devices are connected and the rules that govern data
transfer between them.

• There are many ways to approach network architecture design, which depend on the
purpose and size of the network.

• Wide area networks (WAN), for example, refer to a group of interconnected networks
often spanning large distances.

• Its network architecture will be vastly different from that of a local area network
(LAN) of a smaller office branch.

• Planning the network architecture is vital because it either enhances or hinders the
performance of the entire system.

• Choosing the wrong transmission media or equipment for a particular expected

server load, for instance, can cause slowdowns on the network.

• Network architecture can also facilitate security, becoming increasingly important as

more user devices connect to the network.
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• The design and protocols of the network need to support quick and efficient user
recognition and authorization.

• Most network architectures adopt the Open Systems Interconnection Model or OSI.
This conceptual model separates the network tasks into seven logical layers, from
lowest to highest abstraction.

• The Physical layer, for instance, deals with the wire and cable connections of the
network. The highest layer, the Application layer, involves APIs that deal with
application-specific functions like chat and file sharing.

• The OSI model makes it easier to troubleshoot the network by isolating problem
areas from each other.

Types of Networking Architecture

• While there are myriads of ways to design your network architecture, you’ll find that
most fall into one of two types. These are the peer-to-peer and client/server
architectures.

• In a peer-to-peer model, all devices in a network have equal responsibilities and

privileges with each other. This means tasks are allocated equally throughout the
network.

• Files in one computer can be shared with every other computer, essentially making
every node a network storage drive.

• Resources like a printer connected to one device are also visible to every other device
on the network.

• A peer-to-peer architecture is suitable for small networks, such as a branch office.

Your home network, by the way, often uses a peer-to-peer model.

• In a client/server architecture, all devices in the network, called “clients,” are

connected to a central hub, called a “server.”

• The server handles the bulk of the network operations – data storage, processing of
client requests, cybersecurity, and access control.

• Most large networks, such as WANs, often use the client/server model. The web
server you’re accessing this article on, for instance, is a perfect example.

• In this case, your computer or smartphone is the client device. Client/server is also
the preferred enterprise network architecture.

• There’s also a hybrid architecture called edge computing, which is becoming more
popular with the Internet of Things (IoT). It’s similar to a client/server architecture.
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• However, instead of the server is responsible for all storage and processing tasks,
some of it is delegated to computers located closer to the client machine, called edge
devices.

Network Architecture Design

• The design of any digital network architecture involves optimizing its building
blocks. These include:

Hardware
• These are the equipment that forms the components of a network, such as user
devices (laptops, computers, mobile phones), routers, servers, and gateways.

• So, in a way, the goal of any network architecture is to find the most efficient way to
get data from one hardware point to another.

Transmission Media
• Transmission media refers to the physical connections between the hardware devices
on a network.

• Different media have various properties that determine how fast data travels from
one point to another.

• They come in two forms: wired and wireless. Wired media involve physical cables for
connection.

• Examples include coaxial and fibre optic. Wireless media, on the other hand, relies
on microwave or radio signals. The most popular examples are WiFi and cellular.

Protocols
• Protocols are the rules and models that govern how data transfers between devices
in a network.

• It’s also the common language that allows different machines in a network to
communicate with each other.

• Without protocols, your iPhone couldn’t access a web page stored on a Linux server.

• There are many network protocols, depending on the nature of the data. Examples
include the Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) used by
networks to connect to the Internet, the Ethernet protocol for connecting one
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computer to another, and the File Transfer Protocol for sending and receiving files to
and from a server.

Topology
• Topology is the structure of the network. This is important because factors like
distance between network devices will affect how fast data can reach its destination,
impacting performance. There are various network topologies, each with strengths
and weaknesses.

• A star topology, for example, describes a layout where all devices in the network are
connected to a central hub.

• The advantage of this layout is that it’s easy to connect devices to the network.
However, if the central hub fails, the whole network goes down.

• On the other hand, bus topology is where all network devices are connected to a
single pathway, called the bus.

• The bus acts like a highway that carries data from one part of the network to the
other. While cheap and easy to implement, its performance tends to slow down as
more devices are added to the network.

• Today, most network architectures use a hybrid topology, combining different

topologies to compensate for each individual’s weakness.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Network Architecture

• Different network architectures have their pros and cons and knowing them is the
key to picking out the right one for your needs.

• Peer-to-peer models are often inexpensive and easy to put up because you don’t
need to invest in a powerful server.

• Theoretically, all you need are network cables or a router, and you’re good to go. It’s
also quite robust; if one computer goes down, the network stays up.

• The distributed nature also lessens or at least spreads out the network load to
prevent congestion.

• However, peer-to-peer models are harder to manage. Since there’s no centralized

hub, you’d need to configure each computer individually to set up, for example,
security software.

• Thus, peer-to-peer networks are also less secure. One hacked computer is all it takes
to hijack the network.
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• Client/server models, on the other hand, are easier to manage because they take on
a centralized approach.

• You can set up access privileges, firewalls, and proxy servers to boost the network’s
security. Thus, a client/server setup is best for large networks over larger distances.

• The disadvantage of this approach is that a client/server architecture is more

expensive to set up, as you need a powerful server to handle the network load. It also
requires a dedicated administrator to manage the server, which adds to the payroll.

• But the biggest con of a client/server model is that the server is a weak link. If the
server goes down, the entire network shuts down. Thus, security is often the most
robust at and near the server.

Examples of Computer Network Architecture

• Each location, such as a factory, will have its own network. If the manufacturing site
uses Internet of Things (IoT) sensors on its equipment, it will most likely use edge
computing. These sensors will be connected via Wi-Fi to an edge gateway device or
an on-site server. This can also accept user devices in the factory, such as employee
workstations and mobile phones.

• These mini networks will then be connected to the company’s wide area network
(WAN), often using a client/server architecture. Corporate headquarters will often
house the central server, although a server on the cloud is also a possibility these
days. Regardless, network administrators on HQ can monitor and manage the whole
WAN infrastructure.

• The enterprise WAN is also connected to the Internet via a broadband connection,
courtesy of their service provider.

Sources Referred:

• IP book,
• Geek to Geek Website,
• Wikipedia

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