Network architecture

Network architecture may refer to any of the following:

1. Alternatively called a network model, network architecture is the overall structure of a network. An example is a client-server network where each computer or device has a defined role. Server devices host and manage specific services and resources consumed by the network's client devices.

While designed, a network's architecture is commonly drawn out as a diagram so that others may review its setup for potential issues like bottlenecks and other inefficiencies.

2. With databases, a network structure is the organization method used in a network model or network database model. Charles Bachman invented the network model, which is the overall database structure and layout of database objects and their relationships; it's similar to a hierarchal model. However, with a network model, each record can have multiple parent and child records. The network model was adopted by CODASYL (Conference on Data Systems Languages) in 1969, which is why this term is sometimes called the CODASYL data model. With the strong adoption of relational databases in the 1980s, the interest and work with CODASYL has faded.

Architecture, COBOL, Computer acronyms, Database terms, Network terms, Topology