![]() ![]() Using a flat network leaves you more prone to lateral attacks, which allow attackers to gain access to the network through an entry point and then spread throughout the compromised network without opposition. ![]() By contrast, on a segmented network, it can be easier to isolate the location of the problem, and even if major infrastructure needs to be replaced, the problem can be isolated to the network segment hosting that infrastructure. When a network problem occurs, it could be almost anywhere on the network, so finding the root cause of the problem can be difficult and time-consuming. Ironically, the simplicity of the design of a flat network also means that troubleshooting can be much harder. This shortcoming makes flat networks limited in terms of practical scalability. ![]() The risk in a flat network is that if the key switch fails, the whole network could come to a grinding standstill since there’s no alternative network path. The simplicity of a flat network also comes at a cost: dependence on a single switch. Flat network issues and drawbacksĪlthough flat networks are cheap and easy to set up in any environment, several drawbacks in its architecture cannot be ignored, including their lack of redundancy, difficulty troubleshooting, and vulnerability to lateral attacks. Since flat networks are made up of a single connection between nodes, they allow for faster data transmission as there is no need to route information through various gateways or hub-and-spoke systems. Not a lot of thought has to go into architecting it, so it’s easy to build, easy to operate (when it’s working properly, that is) and easy and cheap to maintain. Because of this simplicity, it’s very easy to design a flat network. When compared to mesh or star topologies, flat networks are simple and easy to set up. In addition, since flat networks don’t require complex routing information, specialized design, or training, they significantly reduce internal IT costs. That’s because there’s no need for multiple routers and switches, as everything is connected back to a single switch, with low-cost hubs providing additional connectivity where necessary. One benefit of flat networks is how cheap they are to set up. Partially due to their simplicity, flat networks have a number of advantages, including their inexpensiveness, low learning curve, and speed of data transfer. Therefore, a flat network topology is ideal for small businesses that don’t have complicated requirements or don’t want to invest a ton in setting up complex networks. Since there’s no central control, it can be difficult to isolate and manage networks in case of a security breach. This happens because there is no logical segmentation, which restricts the traffic to non-designated devices. ![]() Ports X and Y may not need that information, yet they waste precious bandwidth in forwarding the message regardless. When one connected device (A) sends a communication to another device (B), then all ports (we’ll call them X, Y, and Z) connected to the switch forward the exact same broadcast message-except the one that received the broadcast, in this case, device B. Unlike a hierarchical network, where devices are segmented by intermediary hardware like routers, in a flat network, there is no hierarchy or division of a network into layers. These connected devices are considered peers with the same level of access. In a flat network, all devices are connected to a single switch or hub in the same broadcast area and communicate with each other without any intermediaries. What is a flat network and how do they work?įlat networks are network architectures where all devices are connected to a single network segment without any hierarchy or central control. Bottom line: Is a flat network right for your business?.What is a flat network and how do they work?. ![]()
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