NETWORK

A computer network is an interconnection of a group of computers.
In the world of computers, networking is the practice of linking two or more computing devices together for the purpose of sharing data. Networks are built with a mix of computer hardware and computer software
AREA NETWORK
Networks can be categorized in several different ways. One approach defines the type of network according to the geographic area it spans. Local area networks (LANs), for example, typically reach across a single home, whereas Wide Area Networks (WANs), reach across cities, states, or even across the world. The Internet is the world's largest public WAN.
NETWORK DESIGNComputer networks also differ in their design. The two types of high-level network design are called client-server and peer-to-peer. Client-server networks feature centralized server computers that store email, Web pages, files and or applications. On a peer-to-peer network, conversely, all computers tend to support the same functions. Client-server networks are much more common in business and peer-to-peer networks much more common in homes.

TOPOLOGY A topology is a description of any kind of locality in terms of its layout। In communication networks, a topology is a usually schematic description of the arrangement of a network, including its nodes and connecting lines.

TYPES OF TOPOLOGIES

• Ring Network Topology : In the ring network topology, the workstations are connected in a closed loop configuration. Adjacent pairs of workstations are directly connected. Other pairs of workstations are indirectly connected, the data passing through one or more intermediate nodes.

• Bus Topology :In the bus network topology, every workstation is connected to a main cable called the bus .Therefore, in effect, each workstation is directly connected to every other workstation in the network।

Star Topology : In the star network topology, there is a central computer or server to which all the workstations are directly connected। Every workstation is indirectly connected to every other through the central computer. Hybrid Topology: It is a combination of two or more topologies. For example, a tree network connected to a tree network is still a tree network, but two star networks connected together exhibit hybrid network topologies.
Click the link given below to understand various topologies:
http://www.freemindshare.com/map/kYbqZImGrc/