Types of Networks

The types of network are categorized on the basis of the number of systems or devices that are under the networked area. Networking is the process by which two or more computers are linked together for a flawless communication. By creating a network, devices like printers and scanners, software, and files and data that are stored in the system can be shared. It helps the communication among multiple computers easy. By computer networking the user access may be restricted when necessary. There are two types of networks:

Local Area Network: The Local Area Network is also referred as LAN. This system spans on a small area like a small office or home. The computer systems are linked with cables. In LAN system computers on the same site could be linked.

Wide Area Network: A Wide Area Network or WAN is a type of networking where a number of resources are installed across a large area such as multinational business. Through WAN offices in different countries can be interconnected. The best example of a WAN could be the Internet that is the largest network in the world. In WAN computer systems on different sites can be linked.

The types of networks can be further classified into two more divisions: Peer-to-peer, Client-Server, and Application-Server Networks. Each type has certain benefits and downsides, this article will describe each type, along with why it could or should be implemented.

1. Peer-to-peer Network

Nearly all Operating Systems come with the ability to act as some kind of a server to share resources. You can setup different computers to allow others to use its peripherals such as printers or CDROM drives, and other computers to allow others to read or write to its hard disk allowing sharing of files, while other computers may allow access to its Internet connection. When you allow workstation computers to become servers and share things in this manner, it is called a Peer-to-peer network.

Example

In this small business office, the secretary uses the best computer, and has the most drive space, she also has a fast laser printer connected to her computer. The accountant has a mediocre computer that has a color ink jet printer. The owner has a good computer with a zip drive to take work home. All of these computers are networked together, with no central server.

The secretary uses the zip drive through the network to backup important documents, and also uses the ink jet printer on the accountant's computer to print out fliers. The accountant uses the laser printer on the secretary's computer to print out checks, accesses some important documents on the secretary's computer, and backs up the accounting data on the zip drive on the owners computer. The owner uses both printers on the other computers, and accesses important documents on the secretary's computer. All of the computers share Internet access through the secretary's computer.

All of this gets done with no passwords or user names since all the shared devices use no access control, or other type of security measure. Also in order for the accountant's computer and the owner's computer to be able to read the companies important documents, the secretary's computer must be turned on first.