Network architecture refers to the planning, placement, and physical parts of a networked system. It can include usage and billing information and is used by service providers to locate bottlenecks and determine usage rates. The term has evolved from a basic layout to a blueprint and now refers to both the plan and physical network itself. It can also describe individual network specifications and adherence to specific network protocols.
Network architecture can be many different things. In some cases, it refers to the planning, specification, and placement of physical parts of a networked system, such as a telephone or computer network. Other uses refer only to the actual physical parts of those systems. When the network will be used by a service provider, the architecture may also contain usage and billing information. Finally, the term is occasionally used to describe the specifics of a single network, such as the number of computers and wireless capabilities.
The original use of the term “network architecture” placed it specifically in the planning phase of a project. While these planes were related to physical objects, the term did not. When a network of connected devices, such as telephones and computers, was designed, the result was a network architecture schematic. The actual plans were generally very simple; they would be more of a guideline than anything else.
Over time, the network architecture scheme began to contain additional network-related material. Specific physical objects have been assigned positions according to the plan. In addition, some internal specifications would also be defined. Eventually, the architecture started to look more like a blueprint than a basic layout.
At this point, the term began to have a more physical meaning. Service providers have started using network architecture plans for a wide variety of things. They would lay out their physical network according to a network architecture plan. They would use the plan to locate bottlenecks in their system, as well as determine population rates and usage.
This is when the term made the full transition to physical. When buildings are wired with network feeds, both the plan for building the network and the physical network itself will be called the network architecture. The process by which the Internet, conventional telephone companies, and mobile telephone companies transfer information also uses the term. This broad use of a single term can be confusing, especially where these systems overlap.
The last major area where the term is used is the description of individual network specifications. These cover areas like the number of computers on the system and whether they’re wireless or wired. The term can also refer to a network that uses only hardware from a specific company, such as a Cisco® network architecture. In this case, it would not only mean that the system uses only Cisco® products, but also adheres to their specific network protocols.
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