COSC 2670 4T | NETWORKING PRINCIPLES

Introduction to
topology and
types of
networks
Farrux Fatxullayev & Jamshiddin Sirojiddinov
Agenda
What is network?
Network types
Network topologies
What is network?
A network is a collection of computers, servers,
mainframes, network devices, peripherals, or other
devices connected to allow data sharing. An example of
a network is the Internet, which connects millions of
people all over the world. To the right is an example
image of a home network with multiple computers and
other network devices all connected.
Network types

Local Area Network (LAN) Computer networks that are restricted to a small
localized area are called LANs

Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) WLAN(Wireless LAN) works the same way as a LAN. The
network is spread across a limited area.

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) The reason for having MANs is similar to LANs. One of
the differences is in the geographical spread of the
network area or range.
Local Area Network
(LAN)
Computer networks that are restricted to a small localized area
are called LANs. These types of networks are used to share
resources and transfer data within buildings such as schools,
offices, net cafes, etc. Routers, switches, and hubs are some of the
devices used to operate a LAN. All the devices that are powered by
LAN, are near to each other and present in the same room or
building.

Due to this reason, cables are used as a transmission medium.

Ethernet cables are supported by many devices that have the
same interface. They are also the most commonly used cables for
connecting modems, routers, etc. Their signal strength is
consistent and the communication network is also stable. Thus
making them a practical choice when using a wired LAN.
Wireless Local
Area Network
(WLAN)
WLAN(Wireless LAN) works the same way as a LAN. The
network is spread across a limited area. But this type of
network does not require any cables or optic fibers.
Unlike the LAN, here the mode of transmission is
wireless.

To achieve this wireless transmission, Wi-Fi(Wireless

Fidelity) is used. Workstations can be connected to the
internet with the help of Wi-Fi Routers and Adapters.
Devices that support wireless transmission can also
share data from their memory drives. Some of the
devices that support wireless transmission are
smartphones, smart-watches, speakers, or laptops, etc.
Metropolitan Area
Network (MAN)
The reason for having MANs is similar to LANs. One of the
differences is in the geographical spread of the network area
or range. As mentioned above, LANs are confined to small
areas. But, as the name suggests, MAN’s are spread across an
entire metropolitan city. They can be used to share data from
one point of the city to another.

The way MANs are spread across an entire metropolitan city is

the type of transmission medium they use. Since telephone
lines are used in the propagation of MAN signals Modem
s(Modulator-Demodulators) are used to connect between two
or more servers. Another way of communicating through MAN
is by using DSL (Digital Subscribers Line). Business
establishments, telephone companies, cable TV’s use this type
of networks. Unlike LANs, ownership of MANs is taken over by
2 or more companies/firms.
Wide Area Network
(WAN)
This type of network is currently the most commonly used.
WAN is nothing but a collection of several LANs linked
together. These networks are spread across countries and
other parts of the world. Some of them are connected through
optic fibers while some are connected through satellites.
WANs are used by government agencies and multinational
companies in order to exchange information overseas. Since
the network is spread across the world, it is maintained by
many firms and companies. When the network is this big, it is
prone to failures and system shutdowns once in a while. The
biggest WAN in existence is the Internet.
Network
Topologies
Linear Topology
Ring Topology
Mesh Topology
Star Topology
Tree Topology
Linear topology
This type of network is currently the most commonly used. WAN
is nothing but a collection of several LANs linked together.
These networks are spread across countries and other parts of
the world. Some of them are connected through optic fibers
while some are connected through satellites.
WANs are used by government agencies and multinational
companies in order to exchange information overseas. Since the
network is spread across the world, it is maintained by many
firms and companies. When the network is this big, it is prone to
failures and system shutdowns once in a while. The biggest
WAN in existence is the Internet.
 Ring topology
Ring topology is a special kind of bus topology. It is a linear
topology in which both ends are joined together and form a
Ring Topology. Thus no terminators are used and the data flow
is unidirectional. Due to this, for the data to reach from the first
node to the last it has to traverse through all the nodes. Since
the connection of nodes is continuous, data flows indefinitely
throughout the topology until one node removes it.
Mesh topology
Mesh topology is the solution to the problem found within ring
topology. Unlike ring topology, in mesh, every node is
connected with every other node present in the network. In the
case of a single node failure, the rest of the system would still
be functional.
Since one node connects with many other nodes, data is shared
through any one of the many paths available. This makes mesh
arrangement a suitable network for industries and business
establishments. A mesh topology in which all the nodes are
connected is called a full connectivity topology, and the mesh
topology in which only some nodes are connected is called
partial connectivity.
 Star topology
This topology consists of an extra part, i.e. the hub or switch, is
in the center of the topology that connects all the nodes. A hub
or switch is a networking device that transfers data from one
device to another device. It acts as a transmission medium.
While both may be used depending on their operations and use
cases, some differences may affect the way they perform. Since
many workstations are connected to a hub, the data
transmission becomes centralized.
All the data has to come from the central hub itself. If the
workstation fails to acquire the data, it can be received by any
other workstation. Also, that central hub can act as a
workstation for any other hub making the network scalable.
Making the star topology, the most commonly used topology.
Tree topology
Tree topology is a special kind of bus topology. Here central
nodes or central hubs are connected to the main bus. These
nodes or hubs are also called root nodes. The other peripheral
nodes are connected to those nodes or hubs. These peripheral
nodes are called descendant nodes.
Like the bus topology, terminators are attached at both ends to
define the length of the main bus. This type of topology is used
in database systems, where the data has to be shared in a
hierarchical manner. Fun fact, some file systems such as NTFS
(NT File System) and HFS (Hierarchical File System) are based
on B-Trees (a kind of data structure, that are designed with the
help of tree topology).
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