Architecture (networks)

Network architecture is the structural design of a computer network: its components, connections, protocols, and rules for communication. It determines how devices exchange data and how network functions are organized.

Connect

Network topology: The arrangement of nodes and links in a network, physically or logically. Topology describes how this architecture connects its devices.
OSI model: A seven-layer conceptual framework for organizing network communication functions. Its layers offer a reference structure for separating network responsibilities.
Client–server model: A computing model in which clients request services from centralized servers. It concentrates service roles, unlike designs that distribute them among peers.
Local area network: A network connecting devices within a limited area, such as a home, office, or campus. Its bounded scale makes local connection and traffic design visible.
Network security: The practices and technologies that protect networked systems and data from unauthorized access or disruption. Architectural boundaries and traffic paths determine where protections can be applied.
Computer network: A system of interconnected devices that exchange data using communication protocols. Network architecture specifies the structure of this broader system.
Internet protocol suite: The collection of protocols used to interconnect networks on the Internet. Its protocols form the practical foundation of Internet network designs.
Peer-to-peer: A network model in which participants can act as both clients and service providers. It distributes roles that client–server architectures place in dedicated servers.
Wide area network: A network spanning large geographic distances and linking multiple local networks. Its long-distance links introduce interconnection and routing requirements.
Network segmentation: The division of a network into smaller sections with controlled communication between them. Segmentation turns structural boundaries into limits on access and incident spread.