NETWORK CONNECTIONS

The PCs on a network can be connected in several ways. These ways are known as topologies. There are four of them:

Star Network

Each terminal is connected to a central micro computer which controls the network. Network signals travel from the server to the station along each individual station cable. A polling system is commonly used: The file server polls each station in turn to see if it has a signal to send. The server then handles as they are received. (Back to Top)

Bus Network

In a bus network all the devices share a single cable. Information can be transmitted in every directions i.e. from any pc to any other. The problem here is that several stations may want to transmit down the same line simultaneously, and there has to be some strategy for deciding who gets the line. (Back to Top)

Token-Ring Network

In a ring network, a series of computers is connected together and there is no central controlling computer. Each computer may communicate with any other computer in the ring with messages being specifically addressed to the destination computer. Messages are passed around the ring until they reach the correct destination. This is the least frequently used of the four networks for microcomputers. But are often sued to link mainframes. (Back to Top)

Hierarchical Network

A Hierarchical network consists of several computers linked to a central host computer (which is a large centralised computer, usually a mini or mainframe computer) just like a Star network. However, these computers are also host to other smaller computers or to peripheral devices (printers, scanners, etc…) Thus, the host at the top of the hierarchy could be a mainframe, the computers below it minicomputers and those below the mini’s, microcomputers. This type of network allows various computers to share databases, processing power and different output devices. (Back to Top)

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