NETWORKING

NETWORK SYSTEM

Computer networks let us share information and resources, is a group of computer systems and other computing hardware devices that are linked together through communication channels to facilitate communication and resource-sharing among a wide range of users.  

There are many types of networks, including:

• Local Area Networks (LAN):connects the computer hardware in a localized area such as an office or home.
• Personal Area Networks (PAN):is a computer network for interconnecting devices centered on an individual person's workspace.
• Home Area Networks (HAN):is a network contained within a user's home that connects a person's digital device
• Metropolitan Area Networks (MAN):is a computer network that interconnects users with computer resources in a geographic area or region
• Wide Area Networks (WAN): is any telecommunications network or computer network that extends over a large geographical distance/place,is the global system of interconnected computer networks that use the Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to link devices worldwide.

PEER-PEER SYSTEM:

Computer systems which are connected to each other via the Internet. Files can be shared directly between systems on thenetwork without the need of a central server.

Sneaker Nets:In general, office and home P2P networks operate over Ethernet (10M bit/sec.) or Fast Ethernet (100M bit/sec.) and employ a hub-and-spoke topology.

Both Client and Server:every connected PC is at once a server and a client. There's no special network operating system residing on a robust machine that supports special server-side applications.

BACKBONE NETWORK:

A backbone is a part of computer network that interconnects various pieces of network, providing a path for the exchange of information between different LANs or subnetworks.

There are many types of backbone networks:

Serial Backbone:

Is the most simple of all backbone architecture and consists of two or more connected devices or nodes,is rarely used for enterprise level network topologies because of its high susceptibility to faults and system downtime.

Distributed Backbone:

Comprises of a hierarchical formation of devices. Devices which are adaptable to multiple connectivity are used to connect devices in hierarchy.

The distributed backbone network, unlike the serial backbone network, is well suited for enterprise wide connectivity.

Collapsed Backbone:

The Collapsed Backbone network makes use of a single but high specification router that serves as the actual backbone or central connection that supports the rest of the network.