Chapter

three
Network types
 Classification of Computer Networks
• Computer networks are classified based on various factors. They
include:
• Geographical span
• Inter-connectivity
• Administration
• Architecture
• Administration
From an administrator’s point of view, a network can be
• Private network which belongs to a single autonomous system and cannot be
accessed outside its physical or logical domain.
• A network can be public, which is accessed by all.
 Geographical Span

Geographically a network can be seen in one of the following

categories.
• It may be spanned across your table, among Bluetooth enabled devices, ranging
not more than few meters.
• It may be spanned across a whole building, including intermediate devices to
connect all floors.
• It may be spanned across a whole city.
• It may be spanned across multiple cities or provinces.
 Inter – Connectivity
• Components of a network can be connected to each other differently in some
fashion. By connectedness we mean either logically, physically, or both ways.
• All devices can be connected to a single medium but geographically
disconnected, created bus-like structure.
• Each device is connected to its left and right peers only, creating linear
structure.
• All devices connected together with a single device, creating star-like structure.
• Every single device can be connected to every other device on network, making
the network mesh.
• All devices connected arbitrarily using all previous ways to connect each other,
resulting in a hybrid structure.
 Network Architecture

• Computer networks can be discriminated into various types such as

Client-Server, peer-to peer or hybrid, depending upon its architecture.
 There can be one or more systems acting as Server. Other being Client,
requests the Server to serve requests. Server takes and processes
request on behalf of Clients.
 Two systems can be connected Point-to-Point. They both reside at the
same level and called peers.
 There can be hybrid network which involves network architecture of
both the above types
 Types of computer networks

• Generally, networks are distinguished based on their geographical

span.
• A network can be as small as distance between your mobile phone and
its Bluetooth headphone and as large as the internet itself, covering the
whole geographical world.
• PAN
• LAN
• MAN
• WAN
 Personal Area Network

• A Personal Area Network (PAN) is smallest network which is very

personal to a user.
• This may include Bluetooth enabled devices or infrared enabled
devices.
• PAN has connectivity range up to 10 meters.
• PAN may include wireless computer keyboard and mouse, Bluetooth
enabled headphones, wireless printers, and TV remotes.
• The PANs can be constructed using wireless.
Cont.…
 Local Area Network

• A computer network spanned inside a building and operated under

single administrative system is generally termed as Local Area Network
(LAN).
• LAN covers an organization office, schools, colleges or universities.
• LAN provides a useful way of sharing the resources between end users.
• The resources such as printers, file servers, scanners, and others are
easily sharable among computers.
• It operates on private IP addresses.
• LAN works under its own local domain and controlled centrally.
Cont..
 Advantages of local area network

• Sharing of resources
• Centralized data
• Sharing of Applications
• Easy and Fast communication
• Data security
Dis-Advantages of local area network
• Covers small area
 Metropolitan Area Network

• The Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) generally expands throughout a

city.
• This service enables its users to expand their Local Area Networks.
• For example, MAN can help an organization to connect all of its offices in
a city.
• Typically, a MAN connects two or more LANs within a same city but are
far enough apart that the networks can’t be connected using a simple cable
or wireless connection.
Cont..
 Wide Area Network

• Wide Area Network (WAN) covers a wide area which may span
across a whole country.
• When network spans over a large distance or when the computers to be
connected to each other at widely separated locations a local area network
cannot be used. A wide area network(WAN) is installed.
• Generally, telecommunication networks are Wide Area Network.
• WANs use very expensive network equipment.
• WAN uses advanced technologies.
• WAN may be managed by multiple administration.
 Computer Network Topologies

• A Network Topology is the arrangement with which computer systems or

network devices are connected to each other.
• Topologies may define both physical and logical aspect of the network.
• Logical topology deals with the data flow in the network.
• Physical topology is the representation of all the nodes in a network.
• Bus topology
• Star topology
• Ring topology
• Tree topology
• Mesh topology
• Hybrid typology
 Bus Topology

• All devices share single communication line or cable called trunk (network
backbone).
• A cable that connect to device is used to transmit the signal from one end to the
other end.
• At every end a terminator is placed so that it understands in which direction the
data is travelling and also the terminator is used to absorb the signals.
• Bus networks typically work well for smaller networks.
• It is one of the simple forms of networking where a failure of a device does not
affect the other devices.
• But failure of the shared communication line can make all other devices stop
functioning.
• Bus topology may have problem while multiple hosts sending data at the same
time.
Cont.…
 Cont.…
Advantages of bus topology
• Easy to connect a computer or peripheral to a bus.
• Requires less cable length than other topology.
• Failure of one of the station does not affect others.
Dis-advantages of bus topology
• Entire network shuts down if there is a break in the main cable.
• Terminators are required at both ends of the backbone cable.
• Difficult to identify the problem if the entire network shuts down.
• Not meant to be used as a stand-alone solution in a large building.
 Star Topology
• All hosts in Star topology are connected to a central device, known as hub device,
using a point-to-point connection.
• That is, there exists a point to point connection between hosts and hub.
• Nodes are indirectly connected to each other through a central hub.
• The central device or computer is responsible for controlling and guiding all the
traffic in the network.
• The performance of the network is dependent upon the capacity of the central
computer, switch or hub.
• If any host wants to transfer message to any other host then the message is first
transferred to central server i.e. hub, switch, router and then passed to the target
host.
Cont.…
 Cont.…
Advantages of a Star Topology
• Easy to install.
• No disruptions to the network when connecting or removing devices.
• Easy to detect faults and to remove parts.
Disadvantages of a Star Topology
• If the hub, switch fails, nodes attached are disabled.
• More expensive than linear bus topologies because of the cost of the
hubs or switch.
 Ring Topology
• Each host machine connects to exactly two other machines, creating a circular
network structure.
• When one host tries to communicate or send message to a host which is not
adjacent to it, the data travels through all intermediate hosts.
• Each workstation checks the message for a matching destination address. If the
address doesn't match the node simply regenerates the message. And sends it on
its way.
• If the address matches, the node accepts the message and sends a reply to the
originating sender.
• The data flows in one direction, i.e it is unidirectional.
• To connect one more host in the existing structure, the administrator may need
only one more extra cable.
• Failure of any host results in failure of the whole ring. Thus, every connection in
the ring is a point of failure.
Cont.…
 Cont.…
Advantages of Ring Topology
• Network management: faulty devices can e removed from the network
without bringing the network down.
• Cost: Twisted pair cabling is expensive and easily available. Therefore
the installation cost is very low.
Disadvantages of a Ring Topology
• Failure: the breakdown in one station leads to the failure of the overall
network.
• Delay: communication delay is directly proportional to the number of
nodes. Adding new device increases the communication delay.
 Mesh Topology

• Each Node or Computer contains a dedicated link to every other nodes or

computer in the whole Network.
• This topology has hosts in point-to-point connection with every other host
or may also have hosts which are in point-to-point connection with few
hosts only.
• There are redundant paths built in. Failure in one of the computers does not
cause the network to break down, as they have alternative paths to other
computers.
• Hosts in Mesh topology also work as relay for other hosts which do not
have direct point-to point links.
 Cont.…
• Mesh technology comes into two types:
Full Mesh: All hosts have a point-to-point connection to every other host in
the network. Thus for every host n(n-1)/2 connections are required. It provides
the most reliable network structure among all network topologies.
Partially Mesh: Not all hosts have point-to-point connection to every other
host. Hosts connect to each other in some arbitrarily fashion. This topology
exists where we need to provide reliability to some hosts out of all.
 Cont.…
Advantages of Mesh Topology
• Reliable: any link breakdown will not affect the communication between
connected computers.
• Fast communication: communication is very fast between nodes.
• Easier reconfiguration: adding new devices would not disturb the
communication between other devices.
Disadvantages of a Ring Topology
• Cost: contains large number of connected devices.
• Management: networks are very large ad very difficult to maintain and
manage.
 Tree Topology

• Also known as Hierarchical Topology, this is the most common form of network
topology in use presently.
• This topology imitates as extended Star topology and inherits properties of bus
topology. This topology divides the network into multiple levels/layers of
network. This topology can be used in a large area network.
 Cont.…
The above diagram describes the tree topology which has three
types of layers in that as,
• The lowermost is access-layer where computers are attached.
• The middle layer is known as distribution layer, which works as mediator
between upper layer and lower layer.
• The highest layer is known as core layer, and is central point of the
network, i.e. root of the tree from which all nodes fork.
 Cont.…
Advantages of Tree Topology
• Easily expandable
• Easily manageable: b/c the whole network is divided into segments.
• Limited failure: the breakdown in one segment does not affect the
entire network.
Disadvantages of a Tree Topology
• High cost: devices required are very costly.
• Failure in core layer will damage the overall network.
 Hybrid Topology

• A network structure whose design contains more than one topology is

said to be hybrid topology.
• Hybrid topology inherits merits and demerits of all the incorporating
topologies.
 Peer to peer versus server based network
• Based on network design, a computer network can be divided into the following
two types:
• Peer-to-Peer Network
• Server-Based Network
Peer-to-Peer Network
• The Peer-to-Peer network is also called P2P or computer-to-computer network.
• 'Peers' are the nodes or computer system which are connected to each other.
• In this kind of network, each node is connected to each other node in the network.
• In peer-to-peer networking there are no dedicated servers or hierarchy
among the computers.
• All of the computers are equal and therefore known as peers.
 Cont.…
• Normally each computer serves as Client/Server and there is no one assigned to be
an administrator responsible for the entire network.
• Peer-to-peer networks are good choices for needs of small organizations where the
users are allocated in the same general area, security is not an issue.
• Nodes can :
• allow other devices to read or write to its hard disk,
• allowing sharing of files,
• access to its internet connection, and other resources.
• Files or resources can be shared directly between the system on the network,
without the need of any central server.
• Such kind of network, where we allow nodes to become a server and share things
in this manner, can be referred to as a peer-to-peer network.
 Cont.…
• This network does not distinguish between the client or server.
• Each of the nodes can act as both client/server depending on whether the node is
requesting or providing the service.
• All the nodes are functionally equal and can send or receive data directly with one
another.
 Cont.…
• Peer to peer network is a network between computers through LAN or internet.
• In P2P network, three methods are used for connecting multiple computer systems
like as basic method is to
• use USB (universal serial bus) to make connection between two peers,
• second method is to use twisted pair, fiber optic, to make connection for
computers, and
• finally method is to use protocols which help to control all connections
between several terminals on the internet.
Example of peer to peer network
• Bit Torrent: Torrent is a big example of a P2P network. In torrent, all the
computers are connected to each other on the internet. One computer can upload
any file in the network and other computers start downloading the files. Also,
every computer can upload parts of the file if that computer has already
downloaded some chunks of the file.
• A computer attached to the LAN: In home or in a small office, computers can
make peer to peer network with each other and share data and resources with each
other.
• Bitcoin – Bitcoin also uses the peer-to-peer payment network, and in which
cryptographic protocol is used for operating that helps to users for sending and
receiving bitcoins.
 Advantages and dis advantages of peer to peer
network
Advantages:
• Use less expensive computer hardware
• No NOS required
• Failure doesnt affect all computers
• Easy setup & low cost
Dis advantages:
• Not secure
• No central point of storage or file archiving
• Additional load on computer because of resource sharing
 Client server model
• Client-server system can be define as a software architecture made up
of both the client and server, whereby the clients always send requests
while the server responds to the requests sent.
• In client-server network relationships, certain computers act as server
and other act as clients.
• A server is simply a computer, that available the network resources
and provides service to other computers when they request it.
• A client is the computer running a program that requests the service
from a server.
• Most network applications use a form of communication known as the
client –server paradigm. A server application waits passively for
contact, while a client application initiates communication actively.
 Cont.…
• Client/server networks are more suitable for larger networks.
• A central computer, or 'server', acts as the storage location for files and
applications shared on the network.
• Usually the server is a higher than average performance computer.
• The server also controls the network access of the other computers
which are referred to as the 'client' computers.
• Typically, teachers and students in a school will use the client
computers for their work and only the network administrator (usually
a designated staff member) will have access rights to the server.
Cont.…
 Cont.…
Client functions
• In generally, client software:
• Is an arbitrary application program that becomes a client when
remote access is needed, but also performs other computation locally.
• Is invoked locally by a user, and executes only for one session
• Runs locally on a user personal computer
• Actively initiates contact with a server
• Can access multiple services as needed, but actively contacts one
remote server at a time.
• Does not require special hardware or a sophisticated operating system
 Cont.…

• Server functions
• Is a special purpose, privileged program dedicated to providing one
service, but can handle multiple remote clients at the same time.
• Run on a shared computer(i.e. not a user’s personal computer).
• Wait passively for contact from arbitrary remote clients
• Accepts contact from arbitrary clients, but offers a single service
• Requires powerful hardware and a sophisticated operating system
 Cont.…
• A server must guarantee:
• authentication: client identity verification
• authorization: verification of the possibility for a client to access to
a particular service
• data security: guarantee that specific data cannot be read and/or
modified
Advantages and disadvantages of client-server
network
Advantages:
• Very secure
• Centralized backup
• Scalability
Disadvantages:
• Requires professional administration
• Server faults
• Expensive dedicated software ad hardware
The main difference between Peer-to-Peer Networks and
Client/Server Networks
Peer-to-Peer Networks Client/Server Networks
Easy to set up More difficult to set up
Less expensive to install More expensive to install
Can be implemented on a wide range of operating A variety of operating systems can be supported on the client
systems computers, but the server needs to run an operating system
that supports networking
More time consuming to maintain the software Less time consuming to maintain the software being used (as
being used (as computers must be managed most of the maintenance is managed from the server)
individually)
Very low levels of security supported or none at High levels of security are supported, all of which are
all. controlled from the server. Such measures prevent the
deletion of essential system files or the changing of settings
Does not require a server Requires a server running a server operating system
Demands a moderate level of skill to administer Demands that the network administrator has a high level of
the network IT skills with a good working knowledge of a server
operating system
 Network cabling
• Network cables can be wired as:
• Straight through or
• Crossover.
• Straight through is the most common type and is used to connect computers
to hubs or switches.
• Used for connecting unlike devices.
• It uses one wiring standard: both ends use T568B wiring standard.
• T568A wiring standards: White orange, Orange, White green, Blue, White
blue, Green, White brown, Brown.
• T568B wiring standard: White green, Green, White orange, Blue, White blue,
Orange, White brown, Brown.
• Use straight through network cable for the following cabling:
• Switch to router
• Switch to PC or server
• Hub to PC or server
Crossover network cable is more commonly used to connect a computer to a computer.
• Unlike straight through cable, the crossover cable uses two different wiring standards:
one end uses the T568A wiring standard, and the other end uses the T568B wiring
standard.
• On a cross-over cable you use a different order on each end.
• The first end uses the following color scheme : WO-O-WG-B-WB-G-WBr-Br
• The second end uses the following color scheme: WG-G-WO-B-WB-O-WBr-Br
• It is most often used to connect two devices of the same type: e.g. two computers
(via network interface controller) or two switches to each other.
• Use for connecting similar devices.
• Use crossover cables for the following cabling:
• Switch to switch
• Hub to hub
• Router to router
• PC to PC
What you need for Making Your Own Network Cables :
• Cable: Cat 3, 4, 5e, 6, 7 or other cable
• Connectors: RJ-45 connectors
• Crimping tool
• Cutter: Diagonal Cutter Pliers - You'll need a pair of these to cut the wires in
case the crimper doesn't come with a built-in wire cutter.
• Tester
Cable
Crimping tool

• A good crimping tool has a pair of wire cutters built in, as well as a blade to strip
insulation.
• It also might support crimping of other connectors such as RJ-45.
Connectors

RJ-45 connectors
Steps for Making Your Own Network Cables

• Cutting
• Cut a piece of Cat 5 as long as you need. When you cut, remember the old
saying: Measure twice, cut once.
• Make sure the cut on each end is clean and straight.
Stripping
• Strip about an inch of the insulation off the cable. Cut it back nice and square.
• It is extremely important that you only cut the plastic insulation/jacket and not the wire.
• Beware! Damaging one of the 8 wires, even if you just nick it or partially cut it, will loss
your cable.
Sorting the wires
• Untwist the wires. You'll notice that there are 4 pairs of multicolored wires inside.
• Sort the pairs by color. You should end up with wires color coded as follows:
blue/blue-white, orange/orange-white, green/green-white, brown/brown-white.
Arranging
Attach the RJ-45 Connector
Crimping
Testing

• Once your cable is finished, you should test it to make sure it works.
• Insert the two ends of the cable into the jacks on the tester and watch the lights.
• If they all light up, you have a good connection for each wire and the cable
checks out.