Computer Network Management

Computer Networks can be classified depending upon the following criterion:

1. The Connection method

Networks can be classified according to the hardware and software technology that is used to interconnect the individual devices in the network, such as Optical fiber, Ethernet, Wireless LAN, Home PNA.

2. Network Scope

Networks are often classified as Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), Personal Area Network (PAN), Virtual Private Network (VPN), Campus Area Network (CAN), Storage Area Network (SAN), etc. depending on their scale, scope and purpose.

3. Functional relationship i.e network architecture

Networks may be also be classified according to the functional relationships which exist among the elements of the network, e.g. Active Networking, Client-server and Peer-to-peer (workgroup) architecture.

4. Network topology

Computer networks may also be classified according to the network topology upon which the network is based, such as bus network, star network, ring network, mesh network, star-bus network, tree or hierarchical topology network.

Network topology relates to the way in which devices in the network are and their logical relations to one another. The use of the term "logical" here is significant. That is, network topology is independent of the "physical" layout of the network.

5. Lastly depending upon the method of data communication networks can be classified as Digital and Analog networks.