Networks Classification

Networks lack a standard classification and are typically categorized by various criteria:

  • Communication Pattern (transmission techniques)

  • Geographical scope (distance covered)

  • Host role

  • Fields of application

  • Mobility

Based on Communication Pattern (transmission techniques)

Broadcast Networks

  • Shared communication medium

  • All connected devices receive the transmitted frame Each message contains its destination address

  • Devices check upon reception to determine if they should process the message or disregard it.

  • A broadcast network allows a message to be sent to all devices in the network.

    • Limited broadcast: broadcast in the same network

    • Direct broadcast: broadcast from a device to all devides in another network

  • Medium access control required (one at a time)

  • Typical Topology: Bus topology

Note

In some networks, a message can be sent only to a selected group of devices. This type of transmission is known as Multicasting.

  • one-to-many (not all)

Point-to-Point Networks

  • Dedicated link between two devices

  • No shared medium

  • Data is only delivered to the designated receiver.

  • Data is typically forwarded by intermediate devices from source to destination, with routing algorithms determining the optimal path when multiple paths are available.

  • Often full-duplex

  • Common in WANs

  • Typical Topology: Mesh topology

Based on Geographical Scope (distance covered)

Personal Area Network (PAN)

  • Short-range network (few meters 1-10m)

  • Centered around one person that links their devices

  • Use wireless technologies (Bluetooth, NFC, ZigBee)

  • Low data rate

Local Area Network (LAN)

  • Interconnects devices within a limited geographical area, such as a building or campus

  • Several kilometres, typically use wired connection efficient communication & data transfer, high data rate, Low latency

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

  • Covers a wider geographical area than a LAN

  • Connects multiple sites across a metropolitan area (city or a large campus)

  • Several kilometers to tens of kilometers, High data rate

Wide Area Network (WAN)

  • Connects networks over large geographic areas (LANs, MANs)

  • Mesh topology

  • Point-to-Point links

  • Global connectivity & High scalability

Based on Host role

Client-server Network

  • Centralizes services on dedicated servers

  • Clients send requests to the servers

  • Servers provide services to clients

  • Centralized control

  • High scalability

  • Easier management

  • Security control

Warning

  • Single point of failure (without redundancy)

Peer-to-Peer Network (P2P)

  • A device can be a client or a server

  • Decentralized architecture

  • Distributed resource sharing

  • Easy to set up

  • Less complex

  • Lower cost for simple tasks & small networks

Warning

  • Not as secure

  • Not scalable

  • Slower performance

Based on Fields of application

Networks are designed differently depending on their operational domain.

  • Telecommunication Networks: used for voice communication (2G, 3G, 4G, 5G,etc)

  • Home networks: used for communication in houses and apartments (TVs, Mobiles, heating system, lighting system . . . )

  • Offices networks: used for data communication within a company, university or administration, for exchanging information or sharing resources (documents, printers . . . )

  • Industrial networks: used to exchange data between control systems in an industrial setup

  • Military networks: used by military command systems

Based on Mobility

Wired Network

  • Wired infrastructure (use cables to connect equipment to the network)

  • Minimal mobility

  • Predictable topology

Wireless Network

  • Radio-based transmission (use antennas to send and receive data)

  • Supports device movement while maintaining communication continuity.

  • Two categories

    • Networks with infrastructure (those networks using access points)

    • Ad hoc networks