Network Classification

There is no generally accepted taxonomy into which all computer networks fit, but
two dimensions stand out as important: transmission technology and scale.

On the basis of transmission technology:

• Broadcast Network
• Broadcasting
• Multicasting

• Point-to-Point Network (or Unicasting): Routing Algorithm

As a general rule, smaller, geographically localized networks tend to use Broadcasting,

whereas larger networks usually are point-to-point.

On the basis of scale (or geographical span):

Interprocessor Processors Example

Distance located in same
1m Square meter Personal Area Network (PAN)
10 m Room LAN
100 m Building LAN
1 km Campus LAN
10 km City MAN
100 km Country WAN
1000 km Continent WAN
10,000 km Planet Internet
PAN: Wireless network connecting a computer with its mouse, keyboard, and
printer is a PAN. It is meant for one person.

LAN: LANs are privately-owned networks within a single building or campus of

up to a few kilometer in size.

Broadcast Networks

LAN characteristics

1. Size - LANs are restricted in size, which means that worst-case

transmission time is bounded and known in advance. Knowing this bound
makes it possible to use certain kinds of designs that would not otherwise
be possible.

2. Transmission technology - LANs may share a single communication

channel. Low error rate, High speed (10 Mbps, 100Mbps, 10Gbps).
3. Topology – Broadcast network (Bus IEEE 802.3, Ring IEEE 802.5)

Broadcast Networks can further be classified on the basis of how channel

is allocated:

Static Allocation: Each machine is allocated a time slot during

which it transmits. Channel waste is inherent.
 Dynamic Allocation: Allocates channel on demand.

Centralized: There is a single entity, a bus arbitration unit,

which determines who goes next.

Decentralized: Each machine must decides for itself

whether to transmit. (No chaos).

MAN: MAN covers a city. The best-known example is the cable TV network
available in many cities. MAN may contain one or two cables but does not
contain switching elements. Distributed Queue Dual Bus (DQDB, IEEE 802.6)
consists of two unidirectional buses to avoid the traffic congestion.

Cable TV based Architecture of MAN

WAN: WAN spans a large geographical area, often a country or continent. WAN
contains a collection of machines (Host or End user systems) connected by a
communication subnet. Subnet consists of transmission lines and switching
elements.
Subnet
 Subnet may be organized either as Packet-Switched (store-and-forward)
or Broadcast (satellite) fashion. Sometimes the routers are connected to a
substantial point-to-point subnet, with only some of them having a satellite
antenna.

Wireless Networks: Wireless networks can be divided into three main categories:

System interconnection: is all about interconnecting the components of a

computer using short-range radio. Bluetooth is the technology, which uses
master-slave paradigm.

Wireless LANs (IEEE 802.11): Every device has a radio modem and
antenna with which it can communicate with other systems.
 Bluetooth configuration Wireless LAN

Wireless WANs (IEEE 802.16): The radio network used for cellular
telephones is an example of a low-bandwidth wireless system. Wireless
LANs can operate at rates up to 50 Mbps over distance of ten of meters.
Cellular systems operate below 1 Mbps, but the distance between the
base station and the computer or telephone is measured in kilometers
rather than in meters. High bandwidth wide area wireless networks are
also being designed. Local multipoint distribution service provides
wireless connectivity with internet to home and business users.

Individual mobile computers A Flying LAN

Home Networks: Home networking is on the horizon. With this vision, every
device in the home will be capable of communicating with every other device,
and all of them will be accessible over the Internet. Many devices, like computers,
entertainment devices (TV, VCR, camcorder, etc), telecommunication devices
(mobile phone, intercom, fax, etc), home appliances (microwave, refrigerator,
clock, lights, etc) and telemetry (smoke/burglar alarm, thermostat, etc) are capable
of being networked.

Internetworks: A collection of interconnected networks is called an internetwork

or internet. Different networks with different hardware and software may be
connected by means of machines called gateways, which provides necessary
translation, both in terms of hardware and software.