What are the Types of Computer Networks Used Today?

Choosing a network for either a home or a business can be a daunting task. Not all networks are created equal, and a bit of research can benefit in the long run. Cost is chief among concerns for planning, and the wrong choice can tend to be cumbersome for any company's profit margin or household budget.

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) and Client-Server networks are two types of networks commonly seen in residences and workplaces. While both types of networks have useful applications, there are also some disadvantages associated with each.

P2P networks are hosts on a network that are not controlled by a common access, control, or resource. Each machine is free to communicate with any other machine, as it sees fit. There is little resource control, except at the machine level. For example, a home network with 4 personal computers (PC) that do not use a common server to control resources or access is a P2P network. File-sharing applications, such as Bit Torrent, are classified as P2P networks, in that any machine on the Internet can connect with any other machine to share files directly. Two computers that use FTP as the primary means of sharing files would be considered P2P.

Client-Server networks are different in that they do use common machines to access, control, and provide resources to many different machines. In this network, one server configured as a Domain Controller or other network operating system (NOS), is used to provide the same files to multiple users. This server may also be used to authenticate log-ins on the network, such as Microsoft’s Active Directory software. Client server networks are most prevalent when an ordered, secure, and scalable network environment is required, such as a corporation.

P2P networks have some disadvantages. P2P networks are not very secure, as the security of each machine is often dictated by software controls, rather than a shared hardware device, such as a firewall or server access list. P2P networks are also hard to scale, and do not suit large organization’s needs. Adding machines to a P2P network becomes cumbersome when dealing with multiple machines. P2P networks are, however, suited to home network setups, as they are easy to configure.

Client-Server networks are the most prevalent type today, but usually are associated with higher costs. As more resources become shared, those resources, and the machines that house them, must be maintained by IT staff. Additionally, security IT staff is required to audit and protect those resources as well. While the cost incurred for a client-server network is much higher, it also presents the most secure type of network. With automation of the server, in relation to client patches and security fixes, those resources can be “pushed” to all clients, foregoing the IT staff from personally loading each client.

Both of these networks are used extensively in the world, and each should be evaluated against a fielding plan to determine which is best to suit the needs of the users. A combination of the two networks is also possible, to segregate certain machines from others. No one network can support every organization, and each organization must determine the return on investment (ROI) for the network installation they prefer. Regardless, the types of computer networks are diverse.