Internetworks

 Many networks exist in the world, often with different

hardware and software.
 People connected to one network often want to
communicate with people attached to a different one.
 The fulfillment of this desire requires that different, and
frequently incompatible, networks be connected.
 A collection of interconnected networks is called an
internetwork or internet.
 Example connecting a LAN and a WAN or connecting two
LANs is the usual way to form an internetwork.
 The general name for a machine that makes a connection
between two or more networks and provides the necessary
translation, both in terms of hardware and software, is a
gateway.
Network Topology
 A link is a communications pathway that transfers
data from one device to another.
 For communication to occur, two devices must be
connected in some way to the same link at the
same time.
 There are two possible types of connections: point-
to-point and multipoint.
 Point-to-Point A point-to-point connection provides
a dedicated link between two devices. The entire
capacity of the link is reserved for transmission
between those two devices.
 Multipoint: A multipoint connection is one in which
more than two specific devices share a single link.
In a multipoint environment, the capacity of the Fig: Point to Point and broadcast Connection
channel is shared.
Categories of topology
Mesh Topology
 Every node has a dedicated point
to point link with every other
node
 The total number of links in a
mesh topology with ‘n’ nodes is
n(n-1).
 However, if each physical link
allows communication in duplex
mode, we can divide the number
of links by 2. In other words, we
can say that in a mesh topology,
we need n(n-1)/2 duplex mode
links.
Figure 1.5 A fully connected mesh topology (five devices)
Mesh Topology (contd..)

Problem 1
 If an organization has 6 nodes, and wants to link
the nodes using topology. Find the total number of
links required for the construction of the entire
network for simplex and duplex communication,
and the number of ports required by each node
Mesh Topology (contd..)

Solution:
Given number of nodes in the organization ‘n’ = 6
As each node is connected to the remaining five ( n-1) nodes in
simplex mode of communication, thus the total number of links
required is n(n-1) = 6 * 5 = 30.
In case of duplex mode the total number of links required is
n(n-1)/2 = 6 * 5 = 30/2 = 15.
Since each node has to connect to the remaining n-1 nodes thus the
number of ports required for each node is 6-1 = 5.
Mesh Topology (contd..)

Advantages Disadvantages
 The main disadvantages of a mesh are
 First, the use of dedicated links related to the amount of cabling and the
guarantees that each connection can number of I/O ports required.
carry its own data load, thus eliminating  First, because every device must be
the traffic problems that can occur when
links must be shared by multiple devices. connected to every other device,
installation and reconnection are difficult.
 Second, a mesh topology is robust. If one
link becomes unusable, it does not  Second, the sheer bulk of the wiring can be
incapacitate the entire system. greater than the available space (in walls,
 Third, there is the advantage of privacy or ceilings, or floors) can accommodate.
security. When every message travels  Finally, the hardware required to connect
along a dedicated line, only the intended each link (I/O ports and cable) can be
recipient sees it. prohibitively expensive.
 Finally, point-to-point links make fault  For these reasons a mesh topology is usually
identification and fault isolation easy.
implemented in a limited fashion.
 Ex. Telephone cables
Star topology

 In a star topology, each device has a

dedicated point-to-point link only to
a central controller, usually called a
hub.
 The devices are not directly linked
to one another.
 Unlike a mesh topology, a star
topology does not allow direct
traffic between devices.
 If one device wants to send data to
another, it sends the data to the
Figure 1.6 A star topology connecting four stations
controller, which then relays the
data to the other connected device
Star topology (contd..)

Problem 2

 If an organization has 6 nodes, and wants to link

the nodes using star topology. Find the total
number of links required for the construction of
the entire network for simplex and duplex
communication, and the number of ports
required by each node
Star topology (contd..)

Solution:

Given number of nodes in the organization ‘n’ = 6

As each node is connected only to the hub, whether it is
simplex or duplex the total number of links will be equal to
the number of nodes = 6
Since each node has to connect only to the hub thus the
number of ports required for each node is 1.
Star Topology (contd..)

Advantages Disadvantages
 Although a star requires far less cable than a
 A star topology is less expensive mesh, each node must be linked to a central
hub. For this reason, often more cabling is
than a mesh topology.
required in a star than in some other
 In a star, each device needs only one topologies (such as ring or bus).
link and one I/O port to connect it  The star topology is used in local-area
to any number of others. networks (LANs).
 Easy to install and reconfigure.  High Speed LAN use star topology.
 If one link fails, only that link is
affected. Hence the topology
supports robustness.
 Provides easy fault identification
and fault isolation.
Bus topology (contd..)

 Bus topology is a multipoint link where

one long cable acts as a backbone to link
all the devices in the network.
 Eg : Ethernet LAN

Figure 1.7 A bus topology connecting three stations

Bus Topology (contd..)

Advantages Disadvantages
 Adding new devices may therefore require
modification or replacement of the backbone.
 Advantages of a bus topology
include ease of installation.  In addition, a fault or break in the bus cable
stops all transmission, even between devices
 Backbone cable can be laid along on the same side.
the most efficient path, then
connected to the nodes by drop
lines of various lengths.
 In this way, a bus uses less cabling
than mesh or star topologies.
Ring topology
 In a ring topology, each device has a dedicated point-to-point
connection with only two devices on either side of it.
 A signal is passed along the ring in one direction, from device to
device, until it reaches its destination.
 Each device in the ring incorporates a repeater. When a device
receives a signal intended for another device, its repeater
regenerates the bits and passes them along.

Figure 1.8 A ring topology connecting six stations

Ring Topology (contd..)

Advantages Disadvantages
 However, unidirectional traffic can be a
 This topology is relatively easy to disadvantage.
install and reconfigure as each device is
linked to only its immediate neighbors  In a simple ring, a break in the ring (such as a
(either physically or logically). disabled station) can disable the entire
network.
 To add or delete a device requires
changing only two connections.  This weakness can be solved by using a dual
ring or a switch capable of closing off the
 Generally in a ring, a signal is
circulating at all times. If one device break.
does not receive a signal within a
specified period, it can issue an alarm.
The alarm alerts the network operator
to the problem and its location. Thus
fault isolation is simplified.
Hybrid topology Tree topology
A tree topology connects multiple star
networks to a linear bus backbone
A combination of any of the above technologies cable

Fi: A hybrid topology: a star backbone with three bus networks Fig: Tree Topology
Topography
 Topography – is the way in which the cables, which
provide channels between stations, are positioned.
 For the purposes of cable planning, Topography is more
important than Topology.