What is Topology?

A topology is configuration of communication networks and is of two types, Physical and

Logical. Physical topology refers to configuration of computers, cables, devices and mostly
depends on various factors. A logical topology is a method of transmitting or passing data
between workstations.

Types of Physical Topologies

1. Bus Network (also known as Liner Bus)
2. Star Topology (Centralization)
3. Ring Topology (also known as Star-Wired or Token Ring Network)
4. Tree
5. Mesh Topology

Bus Network

A bus network is a network architecture in which a set of clients are connected via a shared
communications line, called a bus. There are several common instances of the bus architecture,
including one in the motherboard of most computers, and those in some versions of Ethernet
networks.

Star Topology

In a Star Topology each computer is directly connected to the centralized Hub or a Switch. In
this way, when computer A sends a data packet for computer B, the data flows through the Hub
or Switch to which both computer A and B are connected. Different types of cables can be used
in this scenario like coaxial cable, fibre optic cable and twisted pair cable.

Token Ring / Star-Wired

A token ring topology is architecturally similar to star topology. The only difference here is that
it is created of wiring that would allow transfer of data from one computer to another in a ring
(or circle). Atoken ring network will pass information based on token system.

Tree

A tree topology combines characteristics of linear bus and star topologies. It consists of groups
of star-configured workstations connected to a linear bus backbone cable. Tree topologies allow
for the expansion of an existing network with ease.

Mesh Topology
A fully connected or complete topology is a network topology in which there is a direct link
between all pairs of nodes. In a fully connected network with n nodes, there are n(n-1)/2 direct
links. Synonym fully connected mesh network.

In a mesh topology, there are at least two nodes with two or more paths between them. A
special kind of mesh, limiting the number of hops between two nodes, is a hypercube. The
number of arbitrary forks in mesh networks makes them more difficult to design and implement,
but their decentralized nature makes them very useful. This is similar in some ways to a grid
network, where a linear or ring topology is used to connect systems in multiple directions. A
multi-dimensional ring has a toroidal (torus) topology, for instance.

What is Network Topology

The physical topology of a network refers to the configuration of cables,

computers, and other peripherals. Physical topology should not be confused
with logical topology which is the method used to pass information between
workstations. Logical topology was discussed in the Protocol chapter.

Main Types of Network Topologies In networking, the term "topology"

refers to the layout of connected devices on a network. This article
introduces the standard topologies of computer networking.

One can think of a topology as a network's virtual shape or structure. This

shape does not necessarily correspond to the actual physical layout of the
devices on the network. For example, the computers on a home LAN may be
arranged in a circle in a family room, but it would be highly unlikely to find
an actual ring topology there.

Network topologies are categorized into the following basic types:

 Star Topology
 Ring Topology
 Bus Topology
 Tree Topology
 Mesh Topology
 Hybrid Topology

More complex networks can be built as hybrids of two or more of the above
basic topologies.

Star Topology Many home networks use the star topology. A star network
features a central connection point called a "hub" that may be a hub, switch
or router. Devices typically connect to the hub with Unshielded Twisted Pair
(UTP) Ethernet.
Compared to the bus topology, a star network generally requires more
cable, but a failure in any star network cable will only take down one
computer's network access and not the entire LAN. (If the hub fails,
however, the entire network also fails.)

See the illustration of Star Network Topology.

Advantages of a Star Topology

 Easy to install and wire.

 No disruptions to the network then connecting or removing devices.
 Easy to detect faults and to remove parts.

Disadvantages of a Star Topology

 Requires more cable length than a linear topology.

 If the hub or concentrator fails, nodes attached are disabled.
 More expensive than linear bus topologies because of the cost of the
concentrators.

The protocols used with star configurations are usually Ethernet or LocalTalk.
Token Ring uses a similar topology, called the star-wired ring.

Star-Wired Ring

A star-wired ring topology may appear (externally) to be the same as a star

topology. Internally, the MAU of a star-wired ring contains wiring that allows
information to pass from one device to another in a circle or ring (See fig.
3). The Token Ring protocol uses a star-wired ring topology.
Ring Topology In a ring network, every device has exactly two neighbors
for communication purposes. All messages travel through a ring in the same
direction (either "clockwise" or "counterclockwise"). A failure in any cable or
device breaks the loop and can take down the entire network.

To implement a ring network, one typically uses FDDI, SONET, or Token

Ring technology. Ring topologies are found in some office buildings or school
campuses.

See the illustration of Ring Topology.

Bus Topology Bus networks (not to be confused with the system bus of a
computer) use a common backbone to connect all devices. A single cable,
the backbone functions as a shared communication medium that devices
attach or tap into with an interface connector. A device wanting to
communicate with another device on the network sends a broadcast
message onto the wire that all other devices see, but only the intended
recipient actually accepts and processes the message.

Ethernet bus topologies are relatively easy to install and don't require much
cabling compared to the alternatives. 10Base-2 ("ThinNet") and 10Base-5
("ThickNet") both were popular Ethernet cabling options many years ago for
bus topologies. However, bus networks work best with a limited number of
devices. If more than a few dozen computers are added to a network bus,
performance problems will likely result. In addition, if the backbone cable
fails, the entire network effectively becomes unusable.

See the illustration of Bus Network Topology.

Advantages of a Linear Bus Topology

 Easy to connect a computer or peripheral to a linear bus.

 Requires less cable length than a star topology.

Disadvantages of a Linear Bus Topology

 Entire network shuts down if there is a break in the main cable.

 Terminators are required at both ends of the backbone cable.
 Difficult to identify the problem if the entire network shuts down.
 Not meant to be used as a stand-alone solution in a large building.

Tree Topology Tree topologies integrate multiple star topologies together

onto a bus. In its simplest form, only hub devices connect directly to the tree
bus, and each hub functions as the "root" of a tree of devices. This bus/star
hybrid approach supports future expandability of the network much better
than a bus (limited in the number of devices due to the broadcast traffic it
generates) or a star (limited by the number of hub connection points) alone.

See the illustration of Tree Network Topology.

Advantages of a Tree Topology

 Point-to-point wiring for individual segments.

 Supported by several hardware and software venders.

Disadvantages of a Tree Topology

 Overall length of each segment is limited by the type of cabling used.

 If the backbone line breaks, the entire segment goes down.
 More difficult to configure and wire than other topologies.

Mesh Topology Mesh topologies involve the concept of routes. Unlike each
of the previous topologies, messages sent on a mesh network can take any
of several possible paths from source to destination. (Recall that even in a
ring, although two cable paths exist, messages can only travel in one
direction.) Some WANs, most notably the Internet, employ mesh routing.

A mesh network in which every device connects to every other is called a full
mesh. As shown in the illustration below, partial mesh networks also exist in
which some devices connect only indirectly to others.

See the illustration of Mesh Network Topology.

Hybrid Topology

A combination of any two or more network topologies. Note 1: Instances can

occur where two basic network topologies, when connected together, can
still retain the basic network character, and therefore not be a hybrid
network. For example, a tree network connected to a tree network is still a
tree network. Therefore, a hybrid network accrues only when two basic
networks are connected and the resulting network topology fails to meet one
of the basic topology definitions. For example, two star networks connected
together exhibit hybrid network topologies. Note 2: A hybrid topology always
accrues when two different basic network topologies are connected.

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