Is a collection of 2 or more computers, which are connected together to share information and resource

Network Operating System is divided as

Client/server Network Peer-to-peer Network

BUS Ring Star Tree Mesh

All devices are connected to a central cable, called the bus or backbone. Bus networks are relatively inexpensive and easy to install for small networks.

A star topology is designed with each node (file server, workstations, and peripherals) connected directly to a central network hub or concentrator

In a ring topology, the network has no end collection. It forms a continuous ring through which data travels from one node to another. The problem with ring topology is that a break anywhere in the ring will cause network communications to stop. A backup signal path may be implemented in this case to prevent the network from going down. Another drawback of ring topology is that users may access the data circulating around the ring when it passes through his or her computer.

A tree topology combines characteristics of linear bus and star topologies. It consists of groups of star-configured workstations connected to a linear bus backbone cable. Tree topologies allow for the expansion of an existing network, and enable schools to configure a network to meet their needs.

A type of network setup where each of the computers and network devices are interconnected with one another, allowing for most transmissions to be distributed, even if one of the connections go down. This type of topology is not commonly used for most computer networks as it is difficult and expensive to have redundant connection to every computer. However, this type of topology is commonly used for wireless networks.

Network Interface Card Repeater Hub Bridge Router Gateway

A network interface card is used to connect a computer and network. The card provides an interface to the media. Each network interface card is assigned an source address by the manufacturer of the network interface card (this is normally stored in a PROM on the network interface card). The addresses are globally unique. This ensures that no two network interface will ever have the same source address.

A repeater connects two segments of your network cable. It retimes and regenerates the signals to proper amplitudes and sends them to the other segments. When talking about, ethernet topology, you are probably talking about using a hub as a repeater. Repeaters require a small amount of time to regenerate the signal. This can cause a propagation delay which can affect network communication when there are several repeaters in a row.

A HUB is a small Box that connects individual devices o a network so that they can communicate with one another. It operates by gathering the signals from individual devices,amplify signals, and then sends to other devices

A bridge reads the outermost section of data on the data packet, to tell where the message is going. It reduces the traffic on other network segments, since it does not send all packets. Bridges can be programmed to reject packets from particular networks.

Network Router A router is used to route data packets between two networks. It reads the information in each packet to tell where it is going. If it is destined for an immediate network it has access to, it will strip the outer packet, readdress the packet to the proper ethernet address, and transmit it on that network.

Gateway A gateway can translate information between different network data formats or network architectures. It can translate TCP/IP to AppleTalk so computers supporting TCP/IP can communicate with Apple brand computers. To confuse issues, when talking about a router that is used to interface to another network, the word gateway is often used. This does not mean the routing machine is a gateway as defined here, although it could be.

OSI Model : Open systems interconnection