There is infinite knowledge sitting in the palm of our hands. With a few swipes, we can log on to any website and get the information we want in seconds. It’s so convenient that we often take for granted the complex and incredible mechanisms – the wires, cables, and servers – that make it all possible.
This is what network architecture is all about. It’s how data flows efficiently from one computer to another. And for businesses with an online component, it’s an important concept that has a significant impact on their operation. Let’s start with the networking architecture definition.
What is Network Architecture?
Network architecture refers to a network’s structural and logical layout. It describes how the network devices are connected and the rules that govern data transfer between them.
There are many ways to approach network architecture design, which depend on the purpose and size of the network. Wide area networks (WAN), for example, refer to a group of interconnected networks often spanning large distances. Its network architecture will be vastly different from that of a local area network (LAN) of a smaller office branch.
Planning the network architecture is vital because it either enhances or hinders the performance of the entire system. Choosing the wrong transmission media or equipment for a particular expected server load, for instance, can cause slowdowns on the network.
Network architecture can also facilitate security, becoming increasingly important as more user devices connect to the network. The design and protocols of the network need to support quick and efficient user recognition and authorization.
Most network architectures adopt the Open Systems Interconnection Model or OSI. This conceptual model separates the network tasks into seven logical layers, from lowest to highest abstraction.
The Physical layer, for instance, deals with the wire and cable connections of the network. The highest layer, the Application layer, involves APIs that deal with application-specific functions like chat and file sharing.
The OSI model makes it easier to troubleshoot the network by isolating problem areas from each other.
Types of Networking Architecture
While there are myriads ways to design your network architecture, you’ll find that most fall into one of two types. These are the peer-to-peer and client/server architectures.
In a peer-to-peer model, all devices in a network have equal responsibilities and privileges with each other. This means tasks are allocated equally throughout the network. Files in one computer can be shared with every other computer, essentially making every node a network storage drive. Resources like a printer connected to one device are also visible to every other device on the network.
A peer-to-peer architecture is suitable for small networks, such as a branch office. Your home network, by the way, often uses a peer-to-peer model.
In a client/server architecture, all devices in the network, called “clients,” are connected to a central hub, called a “server.” The server handles the bulk of the network operations – data storage, processing of client requests, cybersecurity, and access control.
Most large networks, such as WANs, often use the client/server model. The web server you’re accessing this article on, for instance, is a perfect example. In this case, your computer or smartphone is the client device. Client/server is also the preferred enterprise network architecture.
There’s also a hybrid architecture called edge computing, which is becoming more popular with the Internet of Things (IoT). It’s similar to a client/server architecture. However, instead of the server being responsible for all storage and processing tasks, some of it is delegated to computers located closer to the client machine, called edge devices.
