A connection of the communications within an organization is called its communications network. It is determined by various factors including the number of people in the firm, the nature of the communications in the firm and the needs of the firm. These and many other factors combine to create a type of network that the firm employs. Below are five of the main types of networks you can find. The setups employed by SD WAN are also included here.
Circular Networks
The circular networks receive their name from their structure. They work in a circuit such that on party send the other a message then the other one sends a message back after receiving the first one. It is very dynamic in that it can take place at all levels of the organization. When one draws the network channels, they go around in a circle to create a complete loop.
Vertical networks are communication networks that occur between a superior and their subordinates. It also has a channel from the subordinate to the superior to create a two-way channel of communication. Vertical Networks are based in immediate communication and responses between the two parties as they are mostly used to make decisions and pass then implement them. They are mostly formal in nature.
Chain Networks
A chain network is also formal in nature. In fact, it is the most common types of communications networks in the formal setups. In this type of communication, the information starts from one end of the channel usually the superior and flows to the people below them. Everyone in the chain gives the info to the one below them as the chain goes on to the last person.
Star Network
If one visualizes a star, they can see that they each arm of the star is very close to the others. They can thus easily reach out to the others in the case the need arises. The star network thus facilitates communication within an organization from anyone to anyone in the same firm. It thus facilitates teamwork and breaks down the barriers to communication that occur due to hierarchy and distance.
Wheel Networks
We all know how the wheel looks like. For this type of network, there are people all around the wheel receiving communication from a single party in the middle of the wheel. It often works in firms with one CEO and many heads of departments. The decisions are made then sent out to the people who should implement them. It is mostly a one-way type of communication network although the chances of feedback are present.
No matter the type of communication networks available to a firm, it will all depend on how effective it is when implementing it. Without proper planning and implementation, the best network structures will still fail. Firms such as SD WAN have perfected this art and would always be consulted when setting up a network as their work has won many industry awards.
