Networks

Networks

1. Different types of networks

   • Ring
     • Description
       • Each node is connected to two other nodes, providing one path
     • Positives
       • Fast transfer speeds
     • Negatives
       • One break can cause catastrophic failure
   • Star
     • Description
       • A central hub or switch transmits messages to and from each node
     • Positives
       • Reliable and high-speed transfers
       • Easy to identify failiures
     • Negatives
       • Expensive to set up
       • The central hub can only handle so much
       • Catastrophic failure if the main switch/hub breaks
   • Mesh
     • Description
       • Each nodes are attached to as many other nodes as possible and
     • Positives
       • All nodes cooperate to distribute data
       • Reliable
         • Can heal by reconfiguring
     • Negatives
       • Difficult to set up
       • Complex
       • Expensive
       • Lots of redundancy
   • Bus
     • Description
       • One cable connected to every computer
     • Positives
       • Cheap
       • Easy to set up
     • Negatives
       • Can slow down with heavy traffic
       • A break in the cable can cause catastrophic failure

2. Routing

   • Circuit switching
     • Description
       • A Path is locked for one data transfer
     • Positives
       • Good for lagless real-time communication
     • Negatives
       • Takes up an entire path for as long as the transfer goes on for
   • Packet switching
     • Description
       • The data is split into numbered packets and sent across multiple routes to reach the final destination, where it is ordered correctly based on the numbers
     • Positives
       • The route isn't entirely taken up
     • Negatives
       • The packets dont come in the right order so streaming data is impossible or low quality
   • Pathfinding
     • Computers usually look for the shortest (cheapest) route to take

3. LAN

   • Local access network, usually in the same household or building

4. WAN

   • Wireless access network, usually used to share data across multiple locations