Network Types, Peer to Peer & Client Server (Domain) Architectures

Types Of Network

LAN (Local Area Network)

LAN covers only small geographical area (one geographical area), like a home or a building. E.g.:- the network in a Campus Branch. The various devices in LAN are connected to central devices called Hub or Switch using Ethernet cables. 

MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)

MAN is larger than a local area network. They spread within two or more geographical areas. MANs are designed by connecting two or more LANs through a router. 

WAN (Wide Area Network)

WAN is a telecommunication network. WANs connect LANs that may be on opposite sides of a building, across the country or around the world. It means it is not restricted to one geographical location or area. WANS are characterized by the slowest data communication rates and the largest distances. Computers connected to a Wide Area Networks are often connected through public networks, such as the telephone system. They can also be connected through leased lines or satellites. Wide Area Networks generally use different and much more expensive networking equipment than do LANs. E.g.:- The Internet

A Comparison of LAN, MAN and WAN

Basis of Comparison	LAN	MAN	WAN
Ownership of Network	Private	Private or Public	Private or Public
Design and maintenance	Easy	Difficult	Difficult
Propagation Delay	Short	Moderate	Long
Speed	High	Moderate	Low
Fault Tolerance	More Tolerant	Less Tolerant	Less Tolerant
Congestion	Less	More	More
Used for	College, School, Hospital.	Small towns, City.	Country/Continent

Understanding Main Network Architectures

Peer-to-peer Network (Workgroup)

There is no centralized administration in peer-to-peer networks. It means there is no central location for authenticating users, storing files, or accessing resources. This means that users must remember which computers in the workgroup have the shared resource or information that they want to access. It also means that users must log on to each computer to access the shared resources on that computer. This type of network is much suitable for small networks (1-30 PCs).

In these type of networks there is a difficulty of finding the location of information as they are stored in multiple computers.  This may occur difficulties of making backups and also redundant the same file or different versions of the same file. Another major problem in workgroup is less security. I have seen that some people use a pc with a client OS like Windows 10 Professional as the designated server for the network. They use it as a central location to save data.

Advantages	Disadvantages
Do not need a Server OS	When someone accessing to information in your computer there may be issues with the performance of your computer
Does not need an expensive server.	Less security
Do not need specialists	No central administration
Easy to set up. No need of specialist knowledge	You need to install software (OS, Anti-Virus) one by one to each computer. (No WDS services)
Failure of a one computer does not effect to the network.	Not suitable for large networks

Client-Server Network (Domain)

In a Client-Server network, there is a powerful computer known as server. That server is the central location where users share and access network resources. It means there is a centralized administration with higher security. The other computers connected to the network are known as clients. Servers are installed with Server operating systems like windows server 2016 and client computers are installed with client operating systems like Windows 10.  This dedicated computer controls the level of access that users have to shared resources. Users can access to shared files or things using there User name and Password. Server operating systems are designed to handle the load when multiple client computers access server-based resources. They are much suitable for large companies.

Advantages	Disadvantages
Has centralized administration	If something happens to the server whole network goes down.
Has a Proper Management	Highly Costs
Can make backups and recoveries	Need IT specialists
You can easily add resources, services to client computer by upgrading the server.	Sometimes congestions will occur
Has higher security	Due to restrictions, sometimes people can’t do special jobs quickly or easily.

For Further Knowledge; 

https://www.guru99.com/types-of-computer-network.html