A flat network is a

computer network A computer network is a set of computers sharing resources located on or provided by network nodes. The computers use common communication protocols over digital interconnections to communicate with each other. These interconnections are ...

design A design is a plan or specification for the construction of an object or system or for the implementation of an activity or process or the result of that plan or specification in the form of a prototype, product, or process. The verb ''to design'' ...

approach that aims to reduce cost, maintenance and administration. Flat networks are designed to reduce the number of routers and

switches In electrical engineering, a switch is an electrical component that can disconnect or connect the conducting path in an electrical circuit, interrupting the electric current or diverting it from one conductor to another. The most common type of ...

on a computer network by connecting the devices to a single switch instead of separate switches. Unlike a hierarchical network design, the network is not physically separated using different switches. The topology of a flat network is not segmented or separated into different broadcast areas by using routers. Some such networks may use

network hub In network science, a hub is a node with a number of links that greatly exceeds the average. Emergence of hubs is a consequence of a scale-free property of networks. While hubs cannot be observed in a random network, they are expected to emerge in ...

s or a mixture of hubs and switches, rather than switches and routers, to connect devices to each other. Generally, all devices on the network are a part of the same broadcast area.

Uses

Flat networks are typically used in homes or

small business Small businesses are types of corporations, partnerships, or sole proprietorships which have fewer employees and/or less annual revenue than a regular-sized business or corporation. Businesses are defined as "small" in terms of being able to ap ...

es where network requirements are low.

Home networks A home network or home area network (HAN) is a type of computer network that facilitates communication among devices within the close vicinity of a home. Devices capable of participating in this network, for example, smart devices such as netw ...

usually do not require intensive security, or separation, because the network is often used to provide multiple

computers A computer is a machine that can be programmed to carry out sequences of arithmetic or logical operations (computation) automatically. Modern digital electronic computers can perform generic sets of operations known as programs. These programs ...

access to the

Internet The Internet (or internet) is the global system of interconnected computer networks that uses the Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to communicate between networks and devices. It is a '' network of networks'' that consists of private, pub ...

. In such cases, a complex network with many

is not required. Flat networks are also generally easier to administer and maintain because less complex switches or routers are being used. Purchasing switches can be costly, so flat networks can be implemented to help reduce the amount of switches that need to be purchased.

Drawbacks

Flat networks provide some drawbacks, including: * Poor security – Because traffic travels through one switch, it is not possible to segment the networks into sections and prevent users from accessing certain parts of the network. It is easier for

hackers A hacker is a person skilled in information technology who uses their technical knowledge to achieve a goal or overcome an obstacle, within a computerized system by non-standard means. Though the term ''hacker'' has become associated in popu ...

to intercept data on the network. * No redundancy – Since there is usually one switch, or a few devices, it is possible for the switch to fail. Since there is no alternative path, the network will become inaccessible and computers may lose connectivity. * Scalability and speed – Connecting all the devices to one central

switch In electrical engineering, a switch is an electrical component that can disconnect or connect the conducting path in an electrical circuit, interrupting the electric current or diverting it from one conductor to another. The most common type of ...

, either directly or through hubs, increases the potential for collisions (due to hubs), reduced speed at which the data can be transmitted and additional time for the central switch to process the data. It also scales badly and increases the chance of the network failing if excessive hubs are used and there are not enough switches to control the flow of the data through the network.

References

{{reflist Computer networks