Types of computer networks

The following are the common types of network based on Size

1. Personal Area Network (PAN)

2. Local Area Network (LAN)

3. Metropolitan Area Network (Man)

4. Wide Area Network (WAN)

5. Storage Area Network (San)

Personal Area Network (PAN)
• A PAN is the smallest type of network, often covering a few meters around
an individual. It typically connects personal devices like smartphones,
tablets, laptops, and other peripherals.

• Scope: Usually within a 10-meter range, like in a room or a small office

space.

• Example: Bluetooth connections between a smartphone and headphones, or

a laptop and a wireless mouse.

• Use: Personal data sharing and synchronization between devices.

Local Area Network (LAN)
LANs are networks that connect devices and servers within a small geographical area, like a

home, school, or office building.

A server computer is the computer dedicated to servicing requests for resources from other

computers (workstations) on a network.

• Scope: Limited to a single building or campus, typically under 1 kilometer.

• Example: Ethernet cables connecting school computer in a lab or office setup

• Use: It is used to centralize data storage, Facilitate communication with one another, sharing
files and expensive devices like printers in an organization like a school or hospital.
Metropolitan Area Network
(MAN)
MANs cover larger geographical areas than LANs, typically connecting multiple
LANs across a city or a campus. MANs often use high-speed connections like fiber
optics.

• Scope: Ranges from several kilometers to a citywide network, like 5km to 50km
radius.

• Example: A network that connects branches of a university campus spread across a

city.

• Use : Used to connect multiple locations of organization within a city, like university
campuses or municipal networks.
Wide Area Network (WAN)

WANs are large networks that cover extensive geographical areas, even
globally. They connect multiple LANs and MANs through routers and are
often managed by multiple organizations.

• Scope: Spans countries or continents or the whole world.

• Example: The internet connects networks worldwide.

• Use: Essential for businesses with multiple branches across regions or

countries, allowing global connectivity.
 Storage Area Network (SAN)
This is an online storage where processing power, data and programs are located either on a local
computer or server to cloud computer.

In cloud computing, processing power, data and programs can be located somewhere on a network
of powerful computers and simply accessed by users.

These networks of powerful computers that have powerful processors, huge memories and data
storage capacities can be accessed anywhere using computers, mobile phone, tablets, laptops etc.

• Scope: Generally limited to a data center or specific server areas.

• Example: Data centers using SANs to manage storage for multiple servers.

• Use : Suitable for enterprises requiring high-performance data access, such as database and web
hosting services.
Network Topologies
Topology refers to the way in which computer and other devices have
been arranged or how data is passed from one computer to another in
the network.

Types of network topologies

• Logical topology

• Physical topology
LOGICAL TOPOLOGY

Logical topology also called signal topology which deals with the way data passes from one device to the
next on the network. Examples are Ethernet and Token ring

Ethernet topology

In this topology, all computers listen to network media and can only send when none of the others is
sending. Sending of data uses broadcasting technology However, the data has the address of the recipient
and only computers with the same address can pick the message from the bus.

Token ring topology

In this topology, a special package for data called a token goes around the network in unidirectional
manner. The token can only be taken up by the computer whose address is on the data held in the token.
After taking it, the computer read the data and then release the token. The token can then be captured by
PHYSICAL TOPOLOGY

This refers the physical layout or arrangement of components on the network.

Examples of physical topology

1. Star topology

2. Bus topology

3. Ring topology

4. Mesh topology

5. Tree/hierarchical topology.
Star topology

In star topology all devices are connected to a central device called concentrator
such as a hub or a Switch.

• Nodes communicate across the network by passing data through the concentrator.

• When the hub receives data from a transmitting computer, it broadcasts the
message to all the other nodes on the network.
Advantages of star topology

1. It is easy to install and manage: Devices connect directly to a central hub, simplifying
setup and maintenance.
2. Star topology is reliable: A failure in one device or cable doesn’t affect the rest of the
network.
3. It is Scalable: New devices can be added easily without disrupting the network.
4. It is Simple to Troubleshoot: Faults are easy to locate as each device has its own
connection to the hub.
5. It has High Performance: Direct communication with the hub minimizes data collisions.
6. It offers Centralized Control: The hub facilitates efficient management and monitoring of
the network
Disadvantages of star topology

• The star-based network is costly because it requires one complete cable per
computer.

• If the central hub fails, the entire network will be down.

• Installation time consuming because each node forms a segment

• It cumbersome in large networks due to its dependency on cables.

• The hub has a limit on the number of devices it can support

 Bus Topology
All devices are connected to central cable called the bus or backbone. This cable acts as the shared communication

medium for transmitting data.

When a device wants to send data, it broadcasts the data packet onto the bus. The data travels along the bus until it

reaches the intended recipient, identified by the packet's address. Only the target device processes the data; other devices

ignore it. Data transmission is unidirectional in simple bus networks, but some setups allow bidirectional communication

 A terminator is attached to each end of the cable to avoid signal from bouncing back and forth on the cable causing

signal distortion.

 Each computer uses network address on local area network

called medium access control (MAC) address

Advantages of Bus topology

• •It is easy to install

• •It is less costly. Does not require a complete cable length per
computer.
Disadvantages of bus topology

• A cable break in any section brings down the whole network

• Troubleshooting a cable fault is difficult because the fault could be anywhere.

• The bus topology limits the number of computers that can be connected to the
cable because each computer listen to the cable in order to transmit.

• It is relatively slow
Ring Topology
In ring topology, all devices are connected to one another in shape of a closed loop.

Each station is responsible for regenerating and retransmitting signals around the
network to its neighbor.

A token is used to exchange data from one station to another. Token can be viewed
as an envelop or a bag where data is placed for transmission and carried around the
network.
Advantages of ring topology

• No Data Collisions: The use of token passing ensures only one device
transmits at a time

• It is Cheap to establish: It require less cable length

• It is simple to install: Direct connection to each nodes

Disadvantages of ring topology

• Modification may be difficult because adding or removing a device can disrupt the
entire network.

• Loss or corruption of the token can halt communication until it is regenerated

• Troubleshooting can be difficult.

• Maintaining the physical and logical structure, especially in large or fault-tolerant

setups, can be expensive and time-consuming.

• One device or media breakdown may affect the entire network.

Hence multi station Access unit (MSAU) is used for station bypass in the event a station fails.
Mesh topology
This is the most common type of topology used in wide area network
where there are many paths between different locations.
Devices are connected with many redundant interconnections between
the nodes.
In a true mesh topology every node has a connection to every other
node in the network.
Advantages of Mesh topology

1. Highly Reliable: Multiple connections ensure the network remains

operational even if one link fails.
2. Scalable: New devices can be added without impacting the network.
3. Fast Data Transmission: Data takes the shortest available path to its
destination.
4. Improved Security: Direct connections reduce data interception risks.
5. Load Balancing: Traffic is evenly distributed across multiple paths.
Disadvantages of Mesh topology

1. Expensive to establish : This is due to extensive cabling and

hardware.
2. It has a complex Setup: Difficult to install, configure, and
maintain.
3. Space-Intensive: Requires significant physical space for cables.
4. High Power Consumption: Large networks consume more energy.
Tree/hierarchical topology.
Tree topology is a network structure that organizes devices in a hierarchical manner,
similar to a tree with branches and a root node. In this topology, the root node is the
central hub that connects to other nodes, which can then branch out to create
multiple levels. The tree is considered as main line for connection called Backbone
It is also called a Hybrid topology because it combines structure of other topologies
like star and bus topologies
Disadvantages of Tree topology

1. It is More difficult to design, configure, and maintain due to the

combination of multiple topologies.
2. It is expensive due to additional infrastructure and devices (e.g.,
hubs, switches, routers) for integration.
3. It is difficult to Troubleshoot because of the interconnected nature of topologies.
Advantages of Tree topology

1. Easily adaptable to different environments or changing requirements by

integrating various topologies.
2. Supports expansion without disrupting existing network setups.
3. Faults in one segment of the network do not necessarily affect others.
4. Allows the use of the most suitable topology for specific parts of the
network (e.g., star for high-traffic nodes, bus for low-cost segments).
5. Can be tailored to meet specific organizational needs.