Types of Networks

Based on the role of the computer attached to them, networks are divided
into three types.
Server based network, peer network and hybrid network.

1. server based network

2. peer to peer network

3. hybrid network

Server Based Network (Client/Server Network): -

• Server based networks are also called client/server network.

• Server based networks are defined by the presence of dedicated server
on a network that provide security & resources.
• It divide processing task between clients and servers.
• Client request for the services such as file storage and printing and
server deliver them.
• In windows 2000 server based networks are organized into what are
called active directory domains.
• Domains are collections of network and clients that share security
information.

 Advantages: -

Strong central security.
Central file storage.
They have ability to pool available hardware and software with low cost.
They also have the ability to share expensive equipment.
They include optimized dedicated servers which are faster at sharing
network resources.
It needs less intrusive security since a single password allow access to all
shared resources on the network.
Large number of users can be managed easily.

Disadvantages: -

Expensive dedicated hardware.
Expensive network operating system software & client licenses.
A dedicated network administrator.

Peer Networks: -

• Peer networks are defined by a lock of central control over the network.
• There are no servers in peer network.
• Users simply share disk space & resources such as printer & faxes.
• Peer networks are organized into work groups. Which has little scurity
control.
• There is not central login process. If you have logged into one peer, you
will able to use only resource on the network that are not controlled by
a specific password because there is not central security.
• You will have to know the individual password for each secured shared
resources.
• This can be quite inconvenient.
▪ Advantages: -
No extra investment in server where hardware, software are required.
Easy setup.
Little network administration required.
Ability of users to control resource sharing.
Lower cost for small network.
▪ Disadvantages: -
Additional load on computer because of resource sharing.
Inability of peers to handle as many network connections as servers.
Lock of central organization.
No central point of storage.
Weak and intrusive security.
Lock and central management.
Hybrid Networks: -
• Hybrid networks have all three types of computers operating on them
and generally have active directory domain and work groups.
• This means while most shared resources are located on servers, network
user still have access to any resources.
• It also means that network users do not have to logon to the domain
controller to access work group resources being shared by peers.
▪ Advantages: -
Advantages of server based network.
Many of the advantages of peer based network.
Ability of user and network administrator to control security based on
the important of the shared resources.
▪ Disadvantages: -
Expensive dedicated hardware.
A dedicated network administrator.

Advantages of the Network: -

1. Security: -
A system designer can limit the kinds of interaction that a given user can
have with the entire system. Ex a bank can allow users access to their own
accounts through an automated teller machine (ATM) without allowing
them to the bank’s entire database.
2. Reduce Cost: -
A system designer can reduce cost by share the hardware & software
used with each computer. Ex in a network we can share one printer as a
network printer. We don’t need an individual printer.
3. Multi-user: -
On a network multiple users can work on a network simultaneously so
indirectly the speed of work is increased and work will be done more
efficiently and accurately. Ex A making of software each part of the
software is distributed among the network and software will build up very
fast.
4. Work Load Reduce: -
On a network multiple persons work at a time so the automatically work
load is reduced from one computer and here also ability and efficiency of
work will increase.
5. Collaborative Process: -
Both multiple computers and multiple users may interact on a task. Ex
in multi user network games the actions of each player are visible to and
affect all the others.
6. Security Through redundancy: -
Multiple computers running the same program at the same time can
provide security through redundancy. E.g. in the space shuttle, three
computers run the same program so that if one has a hardware error, the
other two can override it.
7. Network Criteria: -
To be considered effective and efficiency, a network must meet a
number of criteria. The most important of these are performance, reliability
and security.
8. Performance: -
Performance can be measured in many ways, including transit time and
response time.