Computer Network Architecture

Computer Network Architecture is defined as the physical and logical design of the software,
hardware, protocols, and media of the transmission of data. Simply we can say that how
computers are organized and how tasks are allocated to the computer.

The two types of network architectures are used:

1. Peer-To-Peer network

o Peer-To-Peer network is a network in which all the computers are linked together with
equal privilege and responsibilities for processing the data.
o Peer-To-Peer network is useful for small environments, usually up to 10 computers.
o Peer-To-Peer network has no dedicated server.
o Special permissions are assigned to each computer for sharing the resources, but this
can lead to a problem if the computer with the resource is down.
Advantages of Peer-To-Peer Network:
 It is less costly as it does not contain any dedicated server.
 If one computer stops working but, other computers will not stop working.
 It is easy to set up and maintain as each computer manages itself.
Disadvantages of Peer-To-Peer Network:
 In the case of Peer-To-Peer network, it does not contain the centralized system.
Therefore, it cannot back up the data as the data is different in different locations.
 It has a security issue as the device is managed itself.

2. Client/Server Network
 Client/Server network is a network model designed for the end users called clients, to
access the resources such as songs, video, etc. from a central computer known as
Server.
 The central controller is known as a server while all other computers in the network are
called clients.
 A server performs all the major operations such as security and network management.
 A server is responsible for managing all the resources such as files, directories, printer,
etc.
 All the clients communicate with each other through a server. For example, if client1
wants to send some data to client 2, then it first sends the request to the server for the
permission. The server sends the response to the client 1 to initiate its communication
with the client 2.
Advantages of Client/Server network:
o A Client/Server network contains the centralized system. Therefore, we can back up the
data easily.
o A Client/Server network has a dedicated server that improves the overall performance of
the whole system.
o Security is better in Client/Server network as a single server administers the shared
resources.
o It also increases the speed of the sharing resources.

Disadvantages of Client/Server network:

o Client/Server network is expensive as it requires the server with large memory.

o A server has a Network Operating System (NOS) to provide the resources to the clients,
but the cost of NOS is very high.
o It requires a dedicated network administrator to manage all the resources.
 Network Topology
Types of Network Topology
Network Topology is the schematic description of a network arrangement, connecting various
nodes (sender and receiver) through lines of connection.
The following are the types of Network Topology:
1. BUS Topology
Bus topology is a network type in which every computer and network device is connected to a
single cable. When it has exactly two endpoints, it is called Linear Bus topology.

Advantages of Bus Topology

1. Cost-effective
2. Requires the least amount of
cables
3. Used in small networks
4. Easy to understand
5. Easy to expand by joining
two cables together

Disadvantages of Bus
Topology
1. When the cables fail, the
whole network fails.
2. If network traffic is heavy or
nodes are too many, the
performance of the network
decreases.
3. The cable length is limited.
4. It is slower than the ring
topology.

Figure 1.1 Bus Topology

Features of Bus Topology

1. It transmits data only in one direction.
2. Every device is connected to a single cable.
2. RING Topology
It is called a ring topology because it forms a ring as each computer connects to another
computer, with the last one connected to the first with exactly two neighbors for each device.

Advantages of Ring
Topology
When the load on the
network increases, it
performs better than bus
topology.
It does not need a
network server to control
the connectivity between
workstations.

Disadvantages of Ring
Topology
Aggregate network
bandwidth is
bottlenecked by the
weakest link between
two nodes

Figure 1.2 Ring Topology

Features of Ring Topology

1. In order to send data to the last node in a Ring topology, the data will have to pass through all
other nodes before it. With 100 nodes, the data needs to pass through all 99 nodes before
reaching the 100th node. Therefore, repeaters are used for a ring topology with a large number
of nodes to prevent data loss in the network. 
2. The transmission is unidirectional. It can be made bidirectional by having two (2) connections
between each Network Node it is called Dual Ring Topology.
3. In Dual Ring Topology, two ring networks are formed, and data flow is in opposing directions
in them. Also, if one ring fails, the second ring can act as a backup to keep the network up.
4. Data is transferred in a sequential manner that is bit by bit. Data transmitted has to pass
through each node of the network till the destination node.
3. STAR Topology
In this type of topology, all the computers are connected to a single hub through a cable. This
hub is the central node, and all other nodes are connected to the central node.

Advantages of Star
Topology
1. Fast performance with few
nodes and low network traffic
2. Hub can be upgraded
easily
3. Easy to troubleshoot
4. Easy to set up and modify
5. Only the node which has
failed is affected - the rest of
the nodes can work smoothly

Disadvantages of Star
Topology
1. High installation cost
2. Expensive to use
3. All the nodes depend on
the hub - the whole network
stops if it fails
4. Performance is based on
the hub and its capacity

Figure 1.3 Star Topology

Features of Star Topology

1. Every node has its dedicated hub connection.
2. The hub acts as a repeater for data flow.
3. It can be used with a twisted-pair optical fiber or coaxial
cable.
4. MESH Topology 
It is a point-to-point connection to other nodes or devices. All the network nodes are connected
to each other. Mesh has n(n-1)/2 physical channels to link n devices.

There are two techniques to transmit data over the Mesh topology, they are:
a. Routing               b. Flooding

Features of Mesh Topology

1. Fully connected
Figure 1.4 Mesh Topology 2. Robust
3. Not flexible

Advantages of Mesh Topology

1. Each connection can carry its own
Types of Mesh Topology data load
1. Partial Mesh Topology: In this topology, some of 2. It is robust
the systems are connected in the same fashion as 3. Fault is diagnosed easily
mesh topology but some devices are only connected 4. Provides security and privacy
to two or three devices.
2. Full Mesh Topology: Each node or device is Disadvantages of Mesh Topology
connected to each other. 1. It is difficult to install and configure
2. Cabling cost is expensive.
3. Bulk wiring is required.
5. TREE Topology
It has a root node and all other nodes are connected to it forming a hierarchy. It is also called
hierarchical topology. It should at least have three levels to the hierarchy.

Advantages of Tree Topology

1. Extension of bus and star
topologies
2. Expansion of nodes is possible
and easy
3. Easily managed and maintained
4. Error detection is easily done

Disadvantages of Tree Topology

1. Heavily cabled
2. Costly
3. If more nodes are added,
maintenance becomes difficult.
4. Central hub fails, the network
fails

Figure 1.5 Tree Topology

Features of Tree Topology

1. Ideal if workstations are located in groups.
2. Used in Wide Area Network.
6. HYBRID Topology
It is a combination of two different types of topologies which are a mixture of two or more
topologies. For example, if an office ring topology is used in one department and a star topology
is used in another, connecting these topologies will result in Hybrid Topology (ring topology and
star topology).

Advantages of Hybrid
Topology
1. Reliable because of easy
Error detection and
troubleshooting
2. Effective
3. Scalable as size can be
increased easily
4. Flexible

Disadvantages of Hybrid
Topology
1. Complex design
2. Costly

Figure 1.6 Hybrid Topology

Features of Hybrid Topology

1. It is a combination of two or more topologies
2. Inherits the advantages and disadvantages of the topologies
included