Network Topology

A network topology is the arrangement of a network, including its nodes and connecting lines. There are two ways of defining network geometry: the physical topology and the logical (or signal) topology

TYPES OF NETWORK TOPOLOGY

1. Bus Topology

2. STAR Topology

3. RING Topology

4. MESH Topology

 

Bus Topology

A bus network topology is a network in which every workstation is connected to a main cable is known as the bus network or bus network topology. Therefore each workstation is directly connected with every other workstation in the network.

Features of Bus Topology

1. It transmits data only in one direction.

2. Every device is connected to a single cable.

Advantages of Bus Topology

1. Cable required is least compared to other network topology.

2. Used in small networks.

3. It is easy to understand.

4. Easy to expand joining two cables together.

Disadvantages of Bus Topology

1. Cables fails then whole network fails.

2. If network traffic is heavy or nodes are more the performance of the network decreases.

3. Cable has a limited length.

4. It is slower than the ring topology.

 

STAR Topology

A star network topology, there is a central computer or server to which all the workstation are directly connected. Every workstation is indirectly connected to every other through the central computer.

Features of Star Topology

1. Every node has its own dedicated connection to the hub.

2. Hub acts as a repeater for data flow.

3. Can be used with twisted pair, Optical Fibre or coaxial cable.

Advantages of Star Topology

1. Fast performance with few nodes and low network traffic.

2. Hub can be upgraded easily.

3. Easy to troubleshoot.

4. Easy to setup and modify.

5. Only that node is affected which has failed, rest of the nodes can work smoothly.

Disadvantages of Star Topology

1. Cost of installation is high.

2. Expensive to use.

3. If the hub fails then the whole network is stopped because all the nodes depend on the hub.

4. Performance is based on the hub that is it depends on its capacity

 

RING TOPOLOGY

A ring network topology, the workstations are connected in a closed loop configuration. Adjacent pairs of workstations are directly connected. Other pairs of workstations are indirectly connected, the data passing through one or more intermediate nodes.

Token Ring Topology

If a Token Ring protocol is used in a star or ring topology, the signal travels in only one direction, carried by a so-called TOKEN from node to node

MESH Topology

The mesh network topology employs either of two schemes, called full mesh and partial mesh. In the full mesh topology, each workstation is connected directly to each of the others. In the partial mesh topology, some workstations are connected to all the others, and some are connected only to those other nodes with which they exchange the most data.

 

Features of Mesh Topology

1. Fully connected.

2. Not flexible.

Advantages of Mesh Topology

1. Each connection can carry its own data load.

2. It is robust.

3. Fault is diagnosed easily.

4. Provides security and privacy.

Disadvantages of Mesh Topology

1. Installation and configuration is difficult.

2. Cabling cost is more.

3. Bulk wiring is require

HYBRID Topology

Hybrid topology is a combination of two or more different topology .The hybrid topology network is based on both peer to peer and client server relationship. It is very reliable and easy to detect the Faulty system.

Advantages of Hybrid Topology

1 It includes both wired and wireless network.

 2  It is an expandable network.

Disadvantages of Hybrid Topology

1 Its design is difficult to understand.

2 The cost of this network design is high, because of the requirement of a lot of cable, cooling systems, etc.