A network structure in computer science refers to anything related to a computer network, including design, implementation, and usage. It can be viewed from an architect’s, business, or user’s perspective. The physical structure consists of cables, switches, and workstations, and can be categorized as LAN or WAN. The business aspect involves monitoring and cost management. Users often ignore the network structure until problems arise.
In computer science, a network structure is anything related to a computer network. These systems can be anything from network design through implementation and usage. Even with such a wide range, there are some ways of using the term that are more common. These include the physical design of the network from an architect’s point of view, its organization from a business point of view and its common view of the user.
A network structure can be many different things to different people. From the perspective of one of the people who designed or built a network, it’s a collection of cables, computers, and components. From a business perspective, it is cost that must be balanced against usage information. Finally, from the user’s point of view, it’s a means to an end that only needs consideration when it’s not working properly.
A physical network structure consists primarily of cables, switches, and workstations. In larger companies, these networks are often designed by a network architect and implemented by network engineers. In smaller areas or homes, the physical network is rarely complex enough to require an actual design.
There are two basic descriptions for a physical network structure: the local area network (LAN) and the wide area network (WAN). LAN is any autonomous area of a network and the external area is a WAN. Problems can arise using this terminology when various parts of the network are seen as separate from some and connected from others. To avoid confusion, most people say that LAN is the internal network and WAN is the Internet and other unconnected LANs.
The business part of a network structure is usually quite simple. People are employed to monitor the network to observe how it is being used and verify that it is being used correctly. The cost of network-specific employees plus the cost of maintenance and access charges are charged against the cost of non-network labor. As long as the systems are making money for the business, the network carries on; if it isn’t, the network is cut until it does it again.
Users often ignore the structure of the network until it causes problems. Accessing virtual desktops that are serviced from another office while accessing databases in another state becomes so common that it’s ignored. It’s only when the system stops connecting or slows down for no discernible reason that they start to notice. The user experience with most networks is very transparent, the user can interact with the system, but while doing so they look beyond.
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