Server is ‘host’ Clients do not communicate with each other

 Personal computers act as both client and server  Each computer has access to the others  Some restricted access available  Less expensive but...  Less efficient when large amounts of data need to be exchanged

 Type of user  Size of the organization  Administration  Security  Network traffic  Cost  Scalability

Peer-to-peerClient/Server Type of user Homes and small businesses Large corporations, schools, and hospitals Size of organization Limited number of workstations Large number of workstations Network traffic Limited number of users Large number of users Administration UserCentral administrator Security Individual usersNetwork administrator Cost Inexpensive to implement Usually more expensive than peer-to-peer Scalability Limited growthHigh growth projected

 Physical arrangement of devices in a network  Common types: › Bus › Star › Ring › Tree

 Linear configuration  One cable  Broadcast message to all computers  Work best in networks with just a few computers

 Advantages: › Easy to connect › Requires less cable length  Disadvantages › Entire network affected by cable issue › Difficult to identify problems

 Central connection point  hub, switch or router  Often used in home networks

 Advantages: › Easy to install › Failure in a cable will not affect other computers › Easy to detect faults and to remove parts  Disadvantages: › If the hub fails, the entire network also fails › Requires more cable than linear topology

 All messages travel through a ring in the same direction (either "clockwise" or "counterclockwise")  Found in some office buildings or school campuses  Used for LANs primarily

 Advantages › Spans larger distance than bus network  Disadvantages › A failure in any cable or device breaks the loop and can take down the entire network › Difficult to install

 Combination of star and bus topologies  Hubs in bus configuration  Segments created from each hub in ‘star’ configuration

 Advantages › Point-to-point wiring for individual segments › Supported by several hardware and software venders › Easier to expand than bus or star  Disadvantages › Overall length of each segment is limited by the type of cabling used › Segments dependent on hub bus line › More difficult to configure and wire than other topologies

 Money  Length of cable needed  Future growth  Cable type