FREE online courses on Information Technology - Chapter 8 NETWORK &
COMMUNICATIONS IN I T - Network Configuration
Given the various communications options, one can configure a
network a computers and terminals devices in any number of ways. In a
hierarchical scheme, one computer controls a series of subordinate computers. An
example of this approach might be a central computer controlling local grocery
store computers, which in turn control point-of-sale terminals at checkout
stands. The star connection is similar, but here a single host or server can
communicate with each remote processor. The local computers communicate with
each other through the central system.
In a ring or loop scheme, all processors can communicate with
their immediate neighbors. This pattern can be extended to allow communications
from any processor to any other processor. The bus typology features a
communications but connecting individual computers. Computers put messages
containing the address of their destination on the bus for delivery.
There are a large number of alternatives available in
configuring a computer network. In many situations, the help of a communications
specialist is called for.
