Network Topology Advantages
A network topology is the physical and logical arrangement of the devices in a 1. It is cheap and easy to both install and maintain.
network. It is the structure of the network that defines how all the components 2. The use of single cable means limited hardware is required.
are interconnected to each other. 3. New devices can be added easily.
Disadvantages
Types of network topology 1. It rely on a single cable, so if that cable fails, the whole network will be
unusable.
There are several types of network topologies, each with its own advantages and
2. Network performance degrades as the number of devices are added.
disadvantages. The main types include
3. Difficult to troubleshoot and prone to network failures.
a) Bus topology 4. The use of a single cable also drastically increases the risk of data
b) Ring topology collision, particularly in large networks.
c) Star topology
d) Mesh topology
e) Hybrid topology b) Ring Topology: A Circular Network Configuration
Ring topology is a type of network topology in which devices are connected in a
a) Bus Topology: A Linear Network Arrangement circular pathway, forming a closed loop. In ring topology, data travels in one
direction, passing through each device until it reaches its destination.
Bus topology is a type of network topology in which all devices are connected to
a single cable called a bus/backbone/trunk. It is commonly used in small sized
local area networks (LANs), such as small offices or home setups. Coaxial cable
and twisted-pair cable are some common cables used in bus topology.
How does data transmission work in bus topology?
In bus topology, when a device sends a signal, it is broadcast to all other devices on the
network. If two devices try to send data at the same time, a collision occurs, and the signals
are corrupted. The devices must then wait a random amount of time before trying to re-
transmit the data.
Ring Topology Diagram Real-world Example
Advantages
1. It is easy to install.
2. It is cheaper to install and expand.
3. Network performance doesn’t degrade as the number of devices are
added.
Disadvantages
1. Failure of one device can affect the entire network.
2. Adding or removing nodes is difficult.
3. Troubleshooting the ring network is challenging.
c) Star Topology: A Centralized Network Design
Star topology is the most common network topology where all the devices are
connected to a central hub or switch. It offers improved performance and
reliability compared to bus and ring topologies.
How Does Star Topology Works in Computer Networks?
Whenever any device wants to send data to another device, it has to first send the
information to the central device, and then the central device transmits that data to the
required device.
Star Topology Diagram
Advantages
1. It is easy to install and troubleshoot.
2. Failure of one device doesn’t affect others.
3. Easy to add devices
4. Network performance doesn’t degrade as the number of devices
increased.
Disadvantages
1. If the central device fails, the entire network goes down.
2. More expensive due to additional hardware.
