TOPOLOGY AND ITS TYPE

A Network Topology is the arrangement with which computer systems or network devices are
connected to each other. Topologies may define both physical and logical aspect of the network.
Both logical and physical topologies could be same or different in a same network.

Point-to-Point
Point-to-point networks contains exactly two hosts such as computer, switches or routers, servers
connected back to back using a single piece of cable. Often, the receiving end of one host is
connected to sending end of the other and vice-versa. If the hosts are connected point-to-point
logically, then may have multiple intermediate devices. But the end hosts are unaware of underlying
network and see each other as if they are connected directly.

Bus Topology
In case of Bus topology, all devices share single communication line or cable.Bus topology may have
problem while multiple hosts sending data at the same time. Therefore, Bus topology either uses
CSMA/CD technology or recognizes one host as Bus Master to solve the issue. It is one of the simple
forms of networking where a failure of a device does not affect the other devices. But failure of the
shared communication line can make all other devices stop functioning.

Both ends of the shared channel have line terminator. The data is sent in only one direction and as
soon as it reaches the extreme end, the terminator removes the data from the line.

Star Topology
All hosts in Star topology are connected to a central device, known as hub device, using a point-to-
point connection. That is, there exists a point to point connection between hosts and hub. The hub
device can be any of the following:
 Layer-1 device such as hub or repeater
 Layer-2 device such as switch or bridge
 Layer-3 device such as router or gateway
As in Bus topology, hub acts as single point of failure. If hub fails, connectivity of all hosts to all other
hosts fails. Every communication between hosts, takes place through only the hub.Star topology is
not expensive as to connect one more host, only one cable is required and configuration is simple.

Ring Topology
In ring topology, each host machine connects to exactly two other machines, creating a circular
network structure. When one host tries to communicate or send message to a host which is not
adjacent to it, the data travels through all intermediate hosts. To connect one more host in the
existing structure, the administrator may need only one more extra cable.

Failure of any host results in failure of the whole ring.Thus, every connection in the ring is a point of
failure. There are methods which employ one more backup ring.

Mesh Topology
In this type of topology, a host is connected to one or multiple hosts.This topology has hosts in
point-to-point connection with every other host or may also have hosts which are in point-to-point
connection to few hosts only.
Hosts in Mesh topology also work as relay for other hosts which do not have direct point-to-point
links. Mesh technology comes into two types:
 Full Mesh: All hosts have a point-to-point connection to every other host in the network.
Thus for every new host n(n-1)/2 connections are required. It provides the most reliable
network structure among all network topologies.
 Partially Mesh: Not all hosts have point-to-point connection to every other host. Hosts
connect to each other in some arbitrarily fashion. This topology exists where we need to
provide reliability to some hosts out of all.
Tree Topology
Also known as Hierarchical Topology, this is the most common form of network topology in use
presently.This topology imitates as extended Star topology and inherits properties of bus topology.
This topology divides the network in to multiple levels/layers of network. Mainly in LANs, a
network is bifurcated into three types of network devices. The lowermost is access-layer where
computers are attached. The middle layer is known as distribution layer, which works as mediator
between upper layer and lower layer. The highest layer is known as core layer, and is central point
of the network, i.e. root of the tree from which all nodes fork.

All neighboring hosts have point-to-point connection between them.Similar to the Bus topology, if
the root goes down, then the entire network suffers even.though it is not the single point of failure.
Every connection serves as point of failure, failing of which divides the network into unreachable
segment.

Hybrid Topology
A network structure whose design contains more than one topology is said to be hybrid topology.
Hybrid topology inherits merits and demerits of all the incorporating topologies.
The above picture represents an arbitrarily hybrid topology. The combining topologies may contain
attributes of Star, Ring, Bus, and Daisy-chain topologies. Most WANs are connected by means of
Dual-Ring topology and networks connected to them are mostly Star topology networks. Internet is
the best example of largest Hybrid topology

A computer network can be categorized by their size. A computer network is mainly of four
types:

o LAN(Local Area Network) - Local Area Network is a group of computers connected to each
other in a small area such as building, office. LAN is used for connecting two or more
personal computers through a communication medium such as twisted pair, coaxial cable,
etc The data is transferred at an extremely faster rate in Local Area Network. Local Area
Network provides higher security.

o PAN(Personal Area Network) - Personal Area Network is a network arranged within an

individual person, typically within a range of 10 meters. Personal Area Network is used for
connecting the computer devices of personal use is known as Personal Area Network.
Thomas Zimmerman was the first research scientist to bring the idea of the Personal Area
Network. Personal Area Network covers an area of 30 feet. Personal computer devices that
are used to develop the personal area network are the laptop, mobile phones, media player
and play stations.

o MAN(Metropolitan Area Network) – A metropolitan area network is a network that covers

a larger geographic area by interconnecting a different LAN to form a larger network.
Government agencies use MAN to connect to the citizens and private industries. In MAN,
various LANs are connected to each other through a telephone exchange line. The most
widely used protocols in MAN are RS-232, Frame Relay, ATM, ISDN, OC-3, ADSL, etc. It has a
higher range than Local Area Network(LAN).

o WAN(Wide Area Network) - A Wide Area Network is a network that extends over a large
geographical area such as states or countries. A Wide Area Network is quite bigger network
than the LAN. A Wide Area Network is not limited to a single location, but it spans over a
large geographical area through a telephone line, fibre optic cable or satellite links. The
internet is one of the biggest WAN in the world. A Wide Area Network is widely used in the
field of Business, government, and education.