A Comprehensive Guide to Network Architecture Types
A Comprehensive Guide to Network Architecture Types
Blog Article
Types of network architecture take time to understand and change over time. If you want to keep up with changes in network architecture, it is essential to understand what it is and how it works.
First of all, what is network architecture? There are different ways to design a computer network. The software, hardware, protocols, and means of transmitting data are part of the physical and logical structure of the network. In simple words, network architecture refers to the structure of a computer network and the distribution of work among the computers.
Now that you have understood the basics of network architecture let’s know the significant types of network architecture.
Peer to Peer Network Architecture
Peer-to-peer network is a different kind of network architecture. In this, all the devices are equal to each other. Here, they can exchange data equally. There is no centralized server. In this, every computer or device works like a peer.
Its most significant advantage is that if any one device fails, then there is no impact on the entire network. Its specialty is that all the devices can be connected, and there is no centralized management. The impact of failure in the network is less because a single failure does not affect all of them.
If we talk about its use, it is a file-sharing network like BitTorrent. This is a small network where it is used in fewer numbers. It is used in those organizations where the devices and users can communicate independently, like small businesses and home networks. It has many advantages; it is cheap and straightforward to set up. It can share large amounts of data. If we talk about the disadvantages, its security may be lacking. It may be not easy to manage in a large network.
Client Server Network Architecture
In client-server network architecture, of type of network architecture is a central server. It provides services to all the clients, which can be called devices. The job of the server is to receive requests from various clients and offer them the required data or resources. It is a centralized system where the control and management of the server are significant. It has better facilities and backup. There can be excessive load on the server.
Moreover, it is suitable for large networks where security and management are critical. It has many uses. It is widely used in web servers, email, and database servers. It is used in big organizations and businesses. It has many benefits. There is central control of data and some security and monitoring. Talking about the disadvantages, if a server fails, then the entire network can come to a halt. It requires more time and cost for setup and management.
Local Area Network (LAN)
A local area network (LAN) is utilized inside a restricted region, such as a home, school, or small business. It can connect a few doors to a few hundred devices. Its speed and capacity are good. It is used for facilities like data sharing, file sharing, and printers. This network is very popular in small and middle-level institutions. It has many special features. The network can cover small geographical areas.
Furthermore, it has high-speed data transfer capacity. It is a low cost. Its maintenance is easy, and network monitoring can be done easily. It has many uses, too. If we talk about its advantages, it requires less setup and maintenance. Data transfer is faster. It has disadvantages too. It works only at a limited distance. The security requirement is more.
Wide Area Network (WAN)
Wide area network (WAN) among the types of network architecture is used in vast geographical areas. A few examples are countries, continents, and even the whole world. WAN is an excellent example of the internet, where many LANs and other small networks are connected. This network is necessary for large organizations and institutions. Where there is a need for data access, even in remote locations, it has many specialties. The network covers large geographical areas. The data transfer happens at a slower speed in this as compared to LAN. Talking about its usage, it is used in big companies, internet service providers, and government organizations. It has several advantages. It improves the connectivity in large geographical areas. There is a disadvantage to this, too: the speed of data transfer can be slow. And it costs more for setup and maintenance.
Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)
Wireless Local area network (WLAN) is also like LAN. But in this, the connectivity is wireless. This means the user can connect to the network without any physical connection. It is a Wi-Fi network.
Moreover, it has many specialties. Wireless connectivity is in it. It is a suitable device for mobile and portable devices. There are security concerns, such as hacking. Talking about use, Wi-Fi network is used in airports, offices, and homes. It has many advantages. There is freedom through wireless connectivity. There are many concerns for mobile devices. The quality of the wireless signal may be affected.
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
The metropolitan area network(MAN) covers areas of the size of a town. It is more significant than LAN and more petite than VAN. It is often used to connect various offices or government departments within a city. Its specialty is that it covers only areas of the size of a city. Its speed is good, and data transfer is good. This network is useful in big urban areas. It is used in municipal corporations, government institutions, and big campuses. Its advantage is that it is possible to share data quickly with the resources in the areas. Talking about the disadvantages, its repair can be complicated if the network has a problem.
Virtual Private Network (VPN)
A virtual private network (VPN) of types of network architecture is a type of network. It is used for secure communication on public networks. It is beneficial for those people who work remotely and need to connect securely to their company’s network. Its specialty is that it provides security through data encryption. It allows users to connect to its network from a distance. It increases its privacy. Remote workers and big companies use it. Talking about its benefits, data transfer is secure. If we talk about losses, setup, and management become complicated.
Star Topology
Star topology of types of network architecture is a network architecture in which all the devices are connected through a centralized device. All the communications happen through the hub. It manages the network’s infrastructure. This network is one of the most popular topologies because it is easy to manage. Among its many features, one is that when it fails, the entire network goes down. It is easy to troubleshoot network problems. It is used in offices and organizations. Its advantage is that it is easy to troubleshoot network problems. And if we talk about its disadvantages, then excessive dependence on us causes the biggest disadvantage.
Conclusion
Thus, we see that the choice of network architecture depends on various factors. The size of the network required security, cost, and performance are its factors. Client-server, P2P, and different topologies make its structure unique. It is inappropriate in exceptional circumstances. While choosing it, network security, reliability, and performance should be kept in mind.