Chapter-VI
N E T W O R K A R C H I T EC T UR E S
B U I L D I N G A SM A L L N ET W O R K
Network architecture refers to the layout of the
network, consisting of the hardware, software,
connectivity, communication protocols and mode of
transmission, such as wired or wireless. Know about
the types of network classified according to the
areas covered such as LAN, MAN and WAN. Learn
about the network topologies categorized according
to the layout of equipments and computers such as
star, loop, bus, or mesh topologies. There are many
communication protocols used in the networking
technology. It is important to know about
the network architecture as networks play a very
important role in today's world.
Network Architecture
Overall design of a computer that describes how a
computer network is configured and what
strategies are being used.
Mainly focuses on the functions of the networks.
Also known as network model or network design.
Network architecture refers to how
computers are organized in a system and how
tasks are allocated between these computers.
Two of the most widely used types of network
architecture are peer-to-peer
and client/server. Client/server
architecture is also called 'tiered' because it
uses multiple levels.
Types of Network Architectures
Peer to Peer Architecture
Client Server Architecture
Computer network components
Servers “are powerful computers or processes dedicated to managing
disk drives (file servers), printers (print servers), or network traffic
(network servers ). “
“A server is a computer that shares information and resources with
other computer on a network.”
Servers are “at the service” of the network and run specialized
software for the network’s maintenance and control known as the
network operating system.
Clients “are PCs or workstations on which users run applications.
Clients rely on servers for resources, such as files, devices, and even
processing power. “
A client initiates the communication session with the servers by
requesting services or files from a server computer.
Peer to Peer Architecture
Peer-to-peer networks allow you to connect two or
more computers in order to share their resources.
The information stored over a peer-to-peer network is
stored locally on each individual computer.
Each computer acts as both a client (or node) and a
server (information storage).
Resources are shared between peers without any central
coordination by a server.
All computers in the peer to peer network has equal
responsibilities and capabilities to use the resources
available on the network.
peer-to-peer computers have their own hard disk drives
that are accessible and sometimes shared by all of the
computers on the peer-to-peer network.
Peer to Peer Network
Client Server Architecture
Client Server architecture is built on the
concept of servers providing services and a
set of clients requesting those services.
In client-server networks, network
information is stored on a centralized file
server computer and then made available to
large groups of workstation computers.
Client server network
Peer to Peer vs. Client Server
A Peer-to-peer (P2P) network is usually the
best choice for home and small office
network. It provides an excellent job of
sharing applications, data, printers, and other
local resources across a group of computers.
Client-Server network is better for larger
scale organizations that require fast network
access for video, publishing, multimedia,
spreadsheet, database, and accounting
operations.
Advantages: Peer to Peer (P2P)
The advantages of peer-to-peer over client-
server include:
No need for a network administrator.
No need for dedicated server.
Less expensive.
Easier to install and maintain.
P2P is more reliable as central dependency
is eliminated. Failure of one peer doesn’t
affect the functioning of other peers
Advantages : Client Server
The advantages of client-server over peer-to-
peer include:
Accessibility: server can be accessed
remotely.
Security: rules defining security and access
rights can be defined at the time of set-up of
server.
Up gradation: changes can be made easily
by just upgrading the server.
Scalability: Permit more nodes in the
network i.e. can be expanded to high
Advantages : Client Server
Proper management: management of
files , at same place , is easy.
Centralization: access rights and resource
allocation is done by the servers.
As new information is uploaded in
database , each workstation need not have
its own storage capacities increased.
Disadvantages: Peer To Peer
Difficult to administer as system is
decentralized.
Less secure.
Data recovery and backup is difficult.
Limited nodes support.
Disadvantages: Client Server
Congestion in network: too many requests
from clients may lead to congestion.
Server failure make the whole network
down.
Cost: it is very expensive to install and
manage.
Professional IT people needed to maintain
servers and other technical details of
network.
Network commands (ping)
Ping is the most important troubleshooting
command and it checks the connectivity
with the other computers.
At DOS prompt type Ping 10.10.10.1 and
press enter or write a URL address instead of
the IP address.
If you get the reply from the server then the
connectivity is ok and if you get the error
message like this “Request time out” this
means the there is some problem in the
connectivity with the server.
Network commands (ipconfig)
ipconfig is a command line utility.
ipconfig is designed to be run from the Windows
command prompt.
This utility allows you to get the IP address
information of a Windows computer. It also allows
some control over active TCP/IP connections.
The output of the default command contains the IP
address, network mask and gateway for all physical
and virtual network adapters.
'ipconfig' supports several command line options.
ipconfig /all
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /release etc
Network commands (tracert)
Tracert command is used to determine the path of
the remote system.
This tool also provides the number of hops and the
IP address of each hop.
For example if you want to see that how many hops
(routers) are involved to reach any URL and what’s
the IP address of each hop then use the following
command:
At command prompt type tracert www.yahoo.com
you will see a list of all the hops and their IP
addresses.
http://www.howtogeek.com/190148/8-
common-network-utilities-explained/
