Networks and their architectures

Computer and data networks are the mechanism by which information systems are interconnected. The underlying technology and the principles of design for the architectures of such networks are still limited but the demands placed upon them are of continually increasing sophistication. The author reviews the ways in which a classification of networks can be determined, thereby providing a perspective for the designers of modern communication networks. It is the classification of networks (based upon wide-area networks, metropolitan area networks and local-area networks) which causes great confusion and so he sets out to explain how the spirit of classification should be used and not necessarily the law in order to appreciate the characteristics of the various types of network