Types of Networking Topology: Bus, Ring, Star, Mesh, Tree Diagram

What is Topology?

Network topologies describe the methods by which all the elements of a network are mapped. The
topology term refers to both the physical and logical layout of a network.

Types of Networking Topologies

Two main types of network topologies in computer networks are 1) Physical topology and 2) Logical
topology

Physical topology

This type of network is an actual layout of the computer cables and other network devices

Logical topology

Logical topology gives insights into the network’s physical design.

Point to Point (P2P)

Point-to-point topology is the easiest of all the

network topologies.

In this method, the network consists of a direct link

between two computers.

Advantages

• This is faster and highly reliable than other types of connections since there is a direct
connection.
• No need for a network operating system
• Does not need an expensive server as individual workstations are used to access the files
• No need for any dedicated network technicians because each user sets their permissions
Disadvantages

• The biggest drawback is that it only be used for small areas where computers are nearby.
• You can’t back up files and folders centrally
• There is no security besides the permissions. Users often are not required to log onto their
workstations.
Point to Point (P2P)

Bus topology uses a single cable which connects

all the included nodes.

The main cable acts as a spine for the entire network.

One of the computers in the network acts as the
computer server. When it has two endpoints, it is
known as a linear bus topology.

Advantages

Here are the pros/benefits of using a bus topology:

• The cost of the cable is very low compared to other topologies, so it is widely used to build

small networks.
• Famous for LAN networks because they are inexpensive and easy to install.
• It is widely used when a network installation is small, simple, or temporary.
• It is one of the passive topologies. So computers on the bus only listen for data being sent,
that are not responsible for moving the data from one computer to others
Disadvantages

Here are the cons/drawbacks of bus topology:

• In case the common cable fails, then the entire system will crash down.

• When network traffic is heavy, it develops collisions in the network.

• Whenever network traffic is heavy, or nodes are too many, the performance time of the
network significantly decreases.
• Cables are always of a limited length.

Ring Topology

In a ring network, every device has exactly two

neighbouring devices for communication
purposes.

It is called a ring topology as its formation is like a

ring. In this topology, every computer is
connected to another computer. Here, the last
node is combined with the first one.
This topology uses tokens to pass the information
from one computer to another. In this topology,
all the messages travel through a ring in the same
direction.
Advantages

Here are the pros/benefits of ring topology:

• Easy to install and reconfigure.
• Adding or deleting a device in-ring topology needs you to move only two connections.
• The troubleshooting process is difficult in a ring topology.
• Failure of one computer can disturb the whole network.
• Offers equal access to all the computers of the networks
• Faster error checking and acknowledgement.

Disadvantages

Here are the drawbacks/cons of ring topology:

• Unidirectional traffic.
• A break in a single ring can risk the breaking of the entire network
• Modern-day high-speed LANs made this topology less popular.
• In the ring, topology signals are circulating at all times, which develops unwanted power
consumption.
• It is very difficult to troubleshoot the ring network.
• Adding or removing the computers can disturb the network activity.

Star Topology

In the star topology, all the computers connect

with the help of a hub.

This cable is called a central node, and all other

nodes are connected using this central node. It is
most popular on LAN networks as they are
inexpensive and easy to install.

Advantages

Here are the pros/benefits of start topology:

• Easy to troubleshoot, set up, and modify.
• Only those nodes affected, that has failed. Other nodes still work.
• Fast performance with few nodes and very low network traffic.
• In Star topology, addition, deletion, and moving of the devices are easy.
Disadvantages

Here are the cons/drawbacks of using Star:

• If the hub or concentrator fails, attached nodes are disabled.
• Cost of installation of star topology is costly.
• Heavy network traffic can sometimes slow the bus considerably.
• Performance depends on the hub’s capacity
• A damaged cable or lack of proper termination may bring the network down.

Mesh Topology

The mesh topology has a unique network

design in which each computer on the network
connects to every other.

It develops a P2P (point-to-point) connection

between all the devices of the network. It offers a
high level of redundancy, so even if one network
cable fails, still data has an alternative path to
reach its destination.

Types of Mesh Topology

Partial Mesh Topology
• Partial Mesh Topology: In this type of
topology, most of the devices are
connected almost similarly to the full
topology. The only difference is that few
devices are connected with just two or
three devices.

• Full Mesh Topology: In this topology, every

node or device is directly connected.

Full Mesh Topology

Advantages

Here, are the pros/benefits of Mesh topology

• The network can be expanded without disrupting current users.
• Need extra capability compared with other LAN topologies.
• No traffic problem as nodes have dedicated links.
• Dedicated links help you to eliminate the traffic problem.
• A mesh topology is robust.
 • It has multiple links, so if any single route is blocked, then other routes should be used for data
communication.
• P2P links make the fault identification isolation process easy.
• It helps you to avoid the chances of network failure by connecting all the systems to a central
node.
• Every system has its privacy and security.
Disadvantages

• Installation is complex because every node is connected to every node.

• It is expensive due to the use of more cables. No proper utilization of systems.
• Complicated implementation.
• It requires more space for dedicated links.
• Because of the amount of cabling and the number of input-outputs, it is expensive to
implement.
• It requires a large space to run the cables.

Tree Topology

Tree topologies have a root node, and all other

nodes are connected which form a hierarchy.

So it is also known as hierarchical topology. This

topology integrates various star topologies in a
single bus, so it is known as a Star Bus topology.
Tree topology is a very common network which is
similar to a bus and star topology.

Advantages

Here are the pros/benefits of tree topology:

• Failure of one node never affects the rest of the network.
• Node expansion is fast and easy.
• Detection of errors is an easy process
• It is easy to manage and maintain
Disadvantages

Here are the cons/drawbacks of tree topology:

• It is a heavily cabled topology
• If more nodes are added, then its maintenance is difficult
• If the hub or concentrator fails, attached nodes are also disabled.
Hybrid Topology

Hybrid topology combines two or more

topologies.

You can see in the architecture in such a manner

that the resulting network does not exhibit one of
the standard topologies.

For example, as you can see in the above image

in an office in one department, Star and P2P
topology is used. A hybrid topology is always
produced when two different basic network
topologies are connected.

Advantages

Here, are the advantages/pros of using Hybrid topology:

• Offers the easiest method for error detection and troubleshooting
• Highly effective and flexible networking topology
• It is scalable so you can increase your network size

Disadvantages

• The design of hybrid topology is complex

• It is one of the costliest processes

How to select a Network Topology?

In conclusion, there are some important considerations for selecting the best topology
to create a network in your organization:
• Bus topology is surely the least expensive to install a network.
• If you want to use a shorter cable or you planning to expand the network in the
future, then star topology is the best choice for you.
• Fully mesh topology is theoretically an ideal choice as every device is connected
to every other device.
• If you want to use twisted pair cables for networking, then you should build star
topologies.