What is mixed or hybrid network? Hybrid network usage area? What is Network Architecture ?List of Network Operating Systems |

 Hybrid network

A mixed or hybrid network is essentially a combination of client-server and peer-to-peer networks. Generally, the client-server portion dominates in a hybrid network. However, in addition, there are sparsely coupled peer-to-peer network segments. Advantages of a hybrid network are:

(i) Client-server applications can be housed and managed centrally.

(ii) Users can control access to their respective computer resources and share their resources.

Disadvantages of hybrid network are-

(i) Having two types of networks makes it difficult for users to access the network.

(ii) Need to remember different passwords for workgroups and servers/domains.

(iii) Resources are located on different computers and cannot be managed centrally. Different versions of the same file can be scattered across different computers.

(iv) Difficulty backing up files stored on different workstations.

Network architecture

Designing and implementing an effective network with respect to communication rules and interconnection design is called network architecture. Network architecture deals with information encoding and its transfer, error control, flow control, customer address identification, analysis of network performance under abnormal conditions, etc. Most networks are organized in a series of layers or hierarchical structures to avoid complexity in network design. In this case each layer is placed on top of the previous layer. The number of network layers, the names, capacities or functions of each may vary. However, in all networks, the job of each layer is to provide services to the layer above it. A number of layered protocols are used to establish successful communication between entities at different levels of the network. All communications of the nth level entity of the sending station Conventions adopted for data exchange are called nth layer protocols. The set of network layers and protocols discussed above is collectively called the network architecture.

List of Network Operating Systems:

The system software used for managing all the resources under the network, security provision of the network, user or user management is called network operating system. Some of the operating systems used in networking servers are --

(i) Novel Netware

(ii) Windows NT, Windows Server, Windows 2000 Server etc.

(ii) UNIX

(iv) Linux Fedura, Ubuntu, Red Hat  LINUX, Susi, SENT OS etc.

(v) Samba

(vi) Banyan Network System

(vii) Apple Share IP

(viii) SUN Solaries

(ix) IBM OS/2