Hybrid Network Topology

A network topology is the topological structure or the arrangement of different elements of computer network. There are several basic types of network topologies, such as star, ring, bus, mesh. But the most popular is a combination of two or more diverse basic network topologies, which is known as hybrid network topology. The examples of hybrid topology are: star-bus, star-ring topologies, etc. Each resulting hybrid topology has its own features, advantages and limitations of its components. Hybrid network topologies are more flexible, reliable, and have increased fault tolerance, the faults in them can be easily diagnosed and corrected, new nodes can be easily added. But at the same time hybrid topologies often are sufficiently expensive and difficult for managing. ConceptDraw DIAGRAM diagramming and vector drawing software supplied with the tools of Computer Network Diagrams solution from Computer and Networks area is perfect for schematic description various types of computer network topologies and easy designing Hybrid network topology diagrams.

Metropolitan area networks (MAN). Computer and Network Examples

A Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) is a great computer network located on the large geographical area or region. It is a network bigger than Local Area Network (LAN), but territorially smaller than Wide Area Network (WAN), its diameter usually ranges from 5 to 50 kilometers. MAN usually includes several buildings or even the whole city (metropolis). It is based on high data rate compounds using the fiber channels and other digital data transmission channels. MAN includes a lot of communicating devices, for its construction are used multiple routers, switches and hubs. MAN can combine together several Local Area Networks or Campus Area Networks located in different buildings within a city and provides the Internet connectivity for them. Solutions included to Computer and Networks Area for ConceptDraw Solution Park are the real godsend for those who want design Computer Network Diagrams, and among others the Metropolitan Area Network Diagrams. They offer the libraries with ready-to-use vector design elements, professional-looking examples, samples and templates.

Storage area networks (SAN). Computer and Network Examples

A Storage area network (SAN) is a dedicated network that provides access to data storage and operations only on the block level. SAN usually has own network of storage devices/elements and disk arrays that are connected with each other and to a remote data-sharing network. SANs are widely used for enhancing the storage devices (optical jukeboxes, disk arrays, tape libraries) that are accessible for networked servers. This example was created in ConceptDraw DIAGRAM using the Computer and Networks Area of ConceptDraw Solution Park. It shows the hybrid of Storage area network (SAN) and Network Attached Storage (NAS) technologies.

Local area network (LAN). Computer and Network Examples

Local Area Network (LAN) is a network which consists of computers and peripheral devices connected each other and to the local domain server, and covers a little territory or small number of buildings, such as home, school, laboratory, office, etc. LAN serves for few hundreds of users. It includes many cables and wires, and demands to design previously a Network diagram. All local area network devices can use the shared printers and disk storage. ConceptDraw DIAGRAM is a perfect network diagramming software with examples of LAN Diagrams, templates and predesigned vector objects. ConceptDraw DIAGRAM is the ideal choice for network engineers and network designers who need to draw fast and easy Local Area Network Diagrams, for IT specialists, developers and other IT professionals which need to visualize the communication schemes of LAN and visually document the LAN's physical structure and arrangement in houses, offices and other buildings. Ready-to-use vector objects from Computer Network Diagrams solution will help you design LAN diagrams in minutes.

Personal area (PAN) networks. Computer and Network Examples

Personal area network (PAN) is a network organized on a limited area and used for data transmission between various personal devices, such as computers, tablets, laptops, telephones, different digital and mobile devices, etc. and also for connecting to higher level network and Internet. PAN is used to manage the interconnections of IT devices which surround a single user and generally contains such appliances, as cordless mice, keyboard, phone, and Bluetooth handsets. PANs can be wired with computer buses, or wirelessly connected to the Internet using such network technologies as Bluetooth, Z-Wave, ZigBee, IrDa, UWB, Body Area Network. PANs have a lot of pros and cons, they are expedient, lucrative and handy, but sometimes have bad connection with other networks on the same radio bands, Bluetooth has distance limits and slow data transfer speed, but is comparatively safe. ConceptDraw DIAGRAM diagramming software supplied with numerous solutions of Computer and Networks Area included to ConceptDraw Solution Park perfectly suits for designing the Personal Area Networks.

Star Network Topology

Star is a basic computer network topology in which all nodes (computers and peripheral devices) of the network are connected to the central hub or switch with a point-to-point connection, forming a physical network segment. Such network segment can function separately or as a part of complex network topology. The switch is a server, the peripherals are the clients. The large workload and functions of network management are entrusted on the central computer, all information exchange goes through it, so it must to be obligatory the most powerful. The star network topology is a simple topology for design and implementation. Its advantages are high performance, flexible administration capabilities, simplicity of adding additional nodes and search of faults, the fact that a failure of one workstation doesn't affect the work of entire network. But the failure of central hub will result the failure of whole network or network segment - it's the main disadvantage. Use the ConceptDraw DIAGRAM with Computer and Networks solution to designing Star Network Topology Diagrams fast and easy.

Wireless Network Topology

This sample was created in ConceptDraw DIAGRAM diagramming and vector drawing software using the Computer and Networks solution from Computer and Networks area of ConceptDraw Solution Park. This sample shows the Wireless network topology. Wireless network topology is a logical topology. It shows how the computers connect and interact each other when there is no physical connection, no cables connecting the computers. The computers communicate each other directly, using the wireless devices. Wireless networks can have infrastructure or ad hoc topology.

Hierarchical Network Topology

This sample was created in ConceptDraw DIAGRAM diagramming and vector drawing software using the Computer and Networks solution from Computer and Networks area of ConceptDraw Solution Park. This sample shows the Hierarchical network topology. A Hierarchical network topology interconnects multiple groups that are located on the separate layers to form a larger network. Each layer concentrates on the specified functions, this allows to choose the right equipment for the layer.

Campus Area Networks (CAN). Computer and Network Examples

Campus Area Network (CAN) is a computer network which provides wireless access to the Internet or LAN for the users located in two or more buildings on the limited geographical area, or in the open space surrounding these buildings. Campus Area Network is usually set in campus of a university or college, but the same kind of planning and design can be applied for other purposes, for enterprises, office buildings, military bases, industrial complexes, public places like supermarkets, entertainment centers, etc. Another form of temporary CAN can exist during some special events such as rallies, music festivals. The elementary Campus Area Network can also arise spontaneously, due to the distance of spread the radio signals from the access points that are not limited by buildings walls. It is also sensible to have additional access points for the larger and more complex CANs, located at specially places chosen for serving clients. Design easy diagrams and schemes for the Campus Area Networks with Computer Network Diagrams solution for ConceptDraw DIAGRAM.

Network Topologies

Network topology is a topological structure of computer network, which can be physical or logical. The physical topology depicts location of different computer network elements such as computers, cables and other devices. The logical topology visually displays network dataflows from one device to another. Sometimes network logical and physical topologies can be the same. ConceptDraw DIAGRAM diagramming and vector drawing software is powerful for drawing network maps and network topologies diagrams of any kinds and complexity thanks to the Computer Network Diagrams solution from the Computer and Networks area. ConceptDraw STORE proposes collection of network icons libraries and a lot of Network Topology Diagram examples, samples and templates which were created at ConceptDraw DIAGRAM software specially for Computer Network Diagrams solution. There are six basic types of the network topologies: Bus, Star, Ring, Mesh, Tree, Fully Connected. You can fast and easy design professional-looking diagram for each of them using the ConceptDraw DIAGRAM tools. There are plenty of web Visio-like diagramming software available. Web based diagrams software can be powerful, but sometimes it is essential to have desktop software. One of the most advanced diagrams tools like Visio for Mac OS is ConceptDraw DIAGRAM app.