There are a number of specialized terms that describes computer network. Some terms often used with networks are: node, client, server, network operating system, distributed processing and host computer.

A node is any device that is connected to a network. It could be a computer, printer, or communication or data storage device.

A client is a node that requests and uses resources available from other nodes. Typically, a client is a user's microcomputer.

A server is a node that shares resources with other nodes. Depending on the resources shared, it may be called a file server, printer server, communication server, or database server.

Network operating system likes Windows, it controls and coordinate the activities between computers on a network. These activities include electronic communication, information, and resource sharing.

In a distributed processing system, computing power is located and shared at different locations. This type of system is common in decentralized organizations where divisional offices have their own computer systems. The computer systems in the divisional offices are networked to the organization's main or centralized computer.

Host computer is a large centralized computer, usually a minicomputer or a mainframe.

A network may consist only of microcomputers, or it may integrate microcomputers or other devices with large computers. Networks can be controlled by all nodes working together equally or by specialized nodes coordinating and supplying all resources. Networks may be simple or complex, self-contained or dispersed over a large geographical area.

Configuration：A network can be arranged or configured in several different ways. The four principal configurations are star, bus, ring, and hierarchical.

In a star network, a number of small computers or peripheral devices are linked to a central unit. This central unit may be a host computer or a file server. All communications pass through this central unit. Control is maintained by polling. That is, each connecting device is asked whether it has a message to send. Each device is then in turn allowed to send its message. One particular advantage of the star form of network is that it can be used to provide a time-sharing system. That is, several users can share resources ("time") on a central computer. The star is a common arrangement for linking several microcomputers to a mainframe that allows access to an organization’s database.

In a bus network, each device in the network handles its own communications control. There is no host computer. All communications travel along a common connecting cable called a bus. As the information passes along the bus, it's examined by each device to see if the information is intended for it. The bus network is typically used when only a few microcomputers are to be linked together. This arrangement is common in systems for electronic mail or for sharing data stored on different microcomputers. The bus network is not as efficient as the star network for sharing common resources. (This is because the bus network is not a direct link to the resource.) However, a bus network is less expensive and is in very common use.

In a ring network, each device is connected to two other devices, forming a ring. There is no central file server or computer. Message are passed around the ring until they reach the correct destination. With microcomputers, the ring arrangement is the least frequently used of the four networks. However, it often is used to link mainframes, especially over wide geographical areas. These mainframes tend to operate fairly autonomously. They perform most or all of their own processing and only occasionally share data and programs with other mainframes. A ring network is useful in a decentralized organization because it makes possible a distributed data processing system. That is, computers can perform processing tasks at their own dispersed locations. However, they can also share programs, data and other resources with each other.

The hierarchical network consists of several computers linked to a central host computer, just like a star network. However, these other computers are also hosts to other, smaller computers or to peripheral devices. Thus, the host at the top of the hierarchy could be a mainframe. The computers below the mainframe could be minicomputers, and those below, microcomputers. The hierarchical network—also called a hybrid network—allows various computers to share databases, processing power, and different output devices. A hierarchical network is useful in centralized organizations. For example, different departments within an organization may have individual microcomputers connected to departmental minicomputers. The minicomputers in turn may be connected to the corporation’s mainframe, which contains data and programs accessible to all.

Strategies：Every network has a strategy or way of coordinating the sharing of information and resources. The most common network strategies are peer-to-peer and client/server systems.

In a peer-to-peer network system nodes can act as both servers and clients. For example, one microcomputer can obtain files located on another microcomputer and can also provide files to other microcomputers. A typical configuration for a peer-to-peer system is the bus network. Commonly used net operating systems are Apple's Macintosh Peer-to-Peer LANs, Novell’s Netware Lite, and Microsoft's Windows for Workgroups. There are several advantages to using this type of strategy. The networks are inexpensive and easy to install, and they usually work well for smaller systems with less than ten nodes. As the number of nodes increases, however, the performance of the network declines. Another disadvantage is the lack of powerful management software to effectively monitor a large network's activities. For these reasons, peer-to-peer network are typically used by small networks.

Client/server network systems use one powerful computer to coordinate and supply services to all other nodes on the network. This strategy is based on specialization. Server nodes coordinate and supply specialized services, and client nodes request the services. Commonly used net operating systems are Novell's Netware, Microsoft's LAN and Windows NT. One advantage of client/server network systems is their ability to handle very large networks efficiently. Another advantage is the powerful network management software that monitors and controls the network's activities. The major disadvantages are the cost of installation and maintenance.