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Peer to Peer network

 Peer to peer LAN is a simple and inexpensive network.
 It normally connects less than ten computers.
 Each computer in this network can share hardware, data or information of any computer in the
network.
 Each computer stores file on its own storage device.
 The network operating system and application software are installed on all computers.
 Any computer in the network can use the resources of any other computer in the network.
 Peer to peer network are suitable for small businesses and home users.
 Windows provides peer to peer network utility.

Advantages

 It is easy to setup.
 It is easy to maintain
 It does not require expensive server computer
 It is suitable for small office of ten or less computers

Disadvantages

 Heavy use can slow down the network speed.

 It also provide less security of data because files are stored at different locations in the network.
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Client Server Network

 Client Server LAN is a network in which one or more computers work as server and other
computers work as client.
 The server computer provides services for the clients.
 Server is also called the host computer.
 It controls access to the hardware and software on the network and provides centralized
storage area for programs, data and information.
 Client computers request resources from server.
 Server computer is more powerful than client computer and contains more memory.
 Some servers are also known as dedicated servers. (A dedicated server is used to perform a
specific task e.g. FILE SERVER is used to store and manage files. PRINT SERVER is used to
manage printers and print jobs. NETWORK SERVER is used to manage network traffic)

Advantages

 It reduces the volume of data traffic on the network.

 It also provides faster response to the client.
 It can use less powerful computers as client because most of the processing is done by the
server computer.

Disadvantages

 It is expensive model because server computers are costly

 The operations stop all over the network when server goes down.
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WAN (wide Area Network)

 This type of network covers a large area
 It connects computers and other devices in different cities and countries.
 WAN usually consists of several LANs connected together.
 Computers in WAN are often connected through telephone lines. The can also be connected
through leased lines or satellites.
 WAN can reach the parts of the world that is not possible with LANs.
 WAN is expensive than LAN.
 WAN is not fast as LAN.
 The speed of WAN depends on the speed provided by the company.
 The transmission rate of WAN is typically from 56 Kbps to 50 Mbps.
 The largest WAN in existence is the Internet.

Examples

 In air ticketing system like PIA, many offices can be joined together using WAN. A person can
register a ticket from any office in the country.
 A bank with many branches in the country can connect its branches through WAN. The
customer can use his account from any branch.
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Advantages of WAN
 Communication Facility: A big company may exist at multiple locations in country. The
employees can communicate using WAN. It saves long distance phone calls. Video conferencing
is another use of WAN where users can communicate with each other their computer system.

 Remote Data Entry: Remote data entry is possible in WAN. The user can sit at any location and
enter, update and process data on any computer attached to WAN. For example the user can
access the data of a computer located at Karachi while sitting in Lahore through WAN.

 Centralized Data: The centralized data storage is an important advantage of WAN. It means that
data can be stored in single location even if the organization is spread over many cities. WAN
can manage critical data in a better way by storing it at a centralized server. The centralized data
can be shared among different users anywhere in the world.

 Entertainment: WAN can facilitate many types of games and entertainment to the user. For
example, internet provides many sources of entertainment. Many multiplayer games are
available that can be played over WAN.

Disadvantages of WAN
 Hardware, Software & setup Costs: Putting up a WAN requires an investment in hardware,
software, planning, designing and implementing. The cost of devices used in WAN are very
expensive.

 Hardware and Software Management Costs: Managing a WAN is complicated. It requires

intensive training. A network manger usually needs to be employed.

 Data Security Concerns: A poorly secured WAN puts critical data at risk. It may expose data to
hackers, unauthorized access and even sabotage (enemy). Virus can spread quickly across WAN
if it enters the central backing store.

 Failure of Server: If a server fails, all computer connected with server are affected.
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MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)

 This type of network covers an area of a city.
 MAN is larger than LAN but smaller than WAN.
 It is usually used to connect two or more LANs in a city or town.
 Telephone companies, cable television operator and other organizations provide users with
connections to MAN.
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Difference between LAN and WAN

LAN WAN
WAN is used to connect computers anywhere in
1 LAN is used to connect computers at one place
the world
2 LAN covers limited area WAN covers more distance
Data transfer speed is very fast in LAN i.e. from Data transfer speed is slow in WAN i.e. from 56
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10 to 1000 Mbps Kbps to 50 Mbps
4 LAN is less costly WAN is expensive
WAN is usually connected through telephone
5 LAN is usually connected through wires
lines
The connection in a LAN is permanent using
6 The connection in WAN is not permanent.
wires
LAN is used for sharing files and hardware like WAN is used to share only data and information
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printer etc. like Email and file transfer
LAN has less possibility of data transmission WAN has higher possibility of data transmission
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error. error.
In WAN, problem normally occurs due to
In LAN, problems normally occur due to cable
9 communication problems in medium like
disturbance by end user.
telephone line etc.
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Network Topology

 The physical layout or the way in which network connections are made is called a topology.
 A network can be connected in different patterns.
 It refers especially to the location of computers and how the cable runs between them.
 It is important to select the right topology for proper use of computer networks.

Types of Topologies

Bus topology

 In a bus network the network devices are all connected to a common cable known as the bus.
 A bus network needs special devices at the ends of the bus cable called terminators. These
absorb signals so that they do not get reflected back into the network and cause data
corruption.
 A bus network has a relatively short length of cabling but it may involve quite expensive types of
cable and connector.

Working of Bus Network

If a computer wants to send data to other computer in the network, it sends the data and destination
address via bus. The data and address move from one computer to the other. Each computer checks the
address. If it matches with the address of the computer, the computer keeps the data. Otherwise the
data moves to the next computer. In bus network no device should transmit data while another one is
already doing so. When traffic is heavy, there is an increase in the frequency of nearly simultaneous data
transmissions by different devices. These cause ‘data collision’ when the two sets of signal interfere with
each other and corrupt the transmitted data. This slow down the network.
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Advantages

i. Simple, easy to use, and suitable for very small networks

ii. Least amount of cable is required to connect the computers so it is less expansive
iii. Easy to extend a bus, two cables can be joined with a connector

Disadvantages

i. Heavy network traffic can slow a bus considerably

ii. Each connector reduces the strength of the electrical signal
iii. A cable break or loose connector will cause reflections and entire network will stop.
iv. As the number of computers increases, the speed of the network slows down

Star Topology

A star network is one in which all the cables run from the computer to a central location, where they are
all connected to a device called hub. It is mostly used in client-server networks.

Working of star Network

If two computers want to share data, the sender computer sends data to the hub and bub sends it to the
receiving computer. Each computer on a star network communicates with central hub. A hub provides a
central connection point so that all computers can communicate across the network.
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Advantages

i. It is easy to modify and add new computers to a star network without disturbing the rest of
network.
ii. Hub can accommodate multiple cable types
iii. Finding faults become very simple
iv. Single computer failure does not bring down the whole network
v. It is more flexible among the topology

Disadvantages

i. If central hub fails, the entire network breaks down

ii. It is more expensive because all network cables must be pulled to one central point.
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Mesh Topology

 In a mesh topology, every device on the network is physically connected to every other device
on the network.
 A message can be sent on different possible paths from source to destination.
 Mesh topology provides improved performance and reliability
 Mesh networks are not used much in local area networks
 It is mostly used in wide area networks where reliability is important.
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Advantages

i. The use of dedicated link guarantees that each connection can carry its own data load. It
eliminates the traffic problem
ii. If one link becomes unusable, it does not harm the entire system
iii. It is easy to troubleshoot.

Disadvantages

i. A full mesh network can be very expansive

ii. It is difficult to install and reconfigure