Homogeneous Network is a network that uses a single network architecture and operating system.

What is Homogeneous Network?

A network that uses a single network architecture and operating system. An example is an Ethernet local area network (LAN) in which all machines are running Microsoft Windows Server. Another example is an enterprise-level messaging system based solely on Microsoft Exchange Server. Homogeneous networks are the simplest networks to administer, but most corporate networks are heterogeneous networks for the following reasons:

• Budgets are limited, so it is not always possible to upgrade an older heterogeneous network into a newer homogeneous one unless the ultimate cost savings can be justified to management.
• Products continually evolve, so what might be a state-of-the-art network operating system today will be a second-class system tomorrow.
• Management and user expectations and needs evolve, so upgrading a second-class system might not be as appropriate as replacing it entirely with something newer.
• Decision making involves politics, and different groups might press for purchasing software that they are more comfortable with instead of making prudent long-term decisions.