Once the network software is loaded, access to provided to other machines on the network. Each PC in the network can directly communicate and share resources with any other machine in the network. A user can take advantage of a faster computer by specifying that the program run on the faster machine, rather than their own. A number of machines are designated as HOST servers. Users login to the host machines and access files and application software stored on them.
Users have no access to other non host machines.
This is used extensively in database applications, where a front end software program sends commands to a server for execution, with the results being displayed on the users machine. It utilizes the high speed of the server machine to do number crunching and complex operations. A topology defines how they are connected together. The four types are Ring, Star, Bus and Mesh. Mesh topologies are used for networks which must be highly redundant and capable of withstanding failure.