Computer Networks (1340503)

Practical 4

Aim: Implement different LAN topologies using network

simulator.

i) Bus topology
ii) Star topology
iii) Ring topology
iv) Mesh topology
v) Hybrid topology
vi) Tree topology

1. Bus topology:

All devices are connected to a single cable called the bus or backbone. Data is transmitted
over this backbone and received by all devices. Each device checks if the data is intended
for it or not.

o Steps:

Step-1) Add the required number of generic switch(s).

[Figure 4.1.1: Bus topology step-1]

Step-2) Add the receiver’s side device(s).

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[Figure 4.1.2: Bus topology step-2]

Step-3) Connect all the switches and end devices.

[Figure 4.1.3: Bus topology step-3]

Step-4) Assign an IP address to each end device.

[Figure 4.1.4: Bus topology step-4]

Step-5) We get the required topology.

[Figure 4.1.5: Bus topology step-5]

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o Advantages:

• It is the easiest network topology for linearly connecting peripherals or computers.

• It works very efficiently well when there is a small network.
• The length of cable required is less than a star topology.
• It is easy to connect or remove devices in this network without affecting any other
device.
• Very cost-effective as compared to other network topologies i.e. mesh and star
• It is easy to understand topology.
• Easy to expand by joining the two cables together.

o Disadvantages:

• Bus topology is not good for large networks.

• Identification of problems becomes difficult if the whole network goes down.
• Troubleshooting individual device issues is very hard.
• Need terminators are required at both ends of the main cable.
• Additional devices slow the network down.
• If the main cable is damaged, the whole network fails or splits into two.
• Packet loss is high.
• This network topology is very slow as compared to other topologies

2. Star topology:

The star topology has the physical layout of a star. It has a central network processor at its
centre, with nodes arranged around and connected to the central point. Wiring costs can be
considerably higher with this topology.

o Steps:

Step-1) Add the required number of generic switch(s).

[Figure 4.2.1: Star topology step-1]

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Step-2) Add the receiver’s side device(s).

[Figure 4.2.2: Star topology step-2]

Step-3) Connect all the switches and end devices.

[Figure 4.2.3: Star topology step-3]

Step-4) Assign an IP address to each end device.

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[Figure 4.2.4: Star topology step-4]

Step-5) We get the required topology.

[Figure 4.2.5: Star topology step-5]

o Advantages:

• It is very reliable – if one cable or device fails then all the others will still work.
• It is high-performing as no data collisions can occur.
• It is less expensive because each device only needs one I/O port and wishes to be
connected to the hub with one link.
• Easier to put in.
• Robust in nature.
• Easy fault detection because the links are often easily identified.
• No disruptions to the network when connecting or removing devices.
• Each device requires just one port i.e. to attach to the hub.
• If N devices are connected to each other in star, then the number of cables required
to attach them is N. So, it’s easy to line up.

o Disadvantages:

• Requires more cable than a linear bus.

• If the connecting network device (network switch) fails, the nodes attached are
disabled and can’t participate in network communication.
• More expensive than linear bus topology due to the value of the connecting devices
(network switches).
• If the hub goes down everything goes down, none of the devices can work without
the hub. • Hub requires more resources and regular maintenance because it’s the
central system of Star.
• Extra hardware is required (hubs or switches) which adds to the cost.
• Performance is predicated on the one concentrator i.e. hub.

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3. Ring topology:

Ring topology is a closed-loop network where all devices, such as computers and printers,
are connected in a circular (ring) structure. In this topology, each device is connected to
two other devices, one on either side, forming a single continuous pathway for data
transmission. The data is sent from one device to another based on their ring node's
neighbouring node.

o Steps:

Step-1) Add the required number of generic switch(s).

[Figure 4.3.1: Ring topology step-1]

Step-2) Add the receiver’s side device(s).

[Figure 4.3.2: Ring topology step-2]

Step-3) Connect all the switches and end devices.

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[Figure 4.3.3: Ring topology step-3]

Step-4) Assign an IP address to each end device.

[Figure 4.3.4: Ring topology step-4]

Step-5) We get the required topology.

[Figure 4.3.5: Ring topology step-5]

o Advantages:

• In this data flows in one direction which reduces the chance of packet collisions.

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• In this topology additional workstations can be added after without impacting

performance of the network.
• Equal access to the resources.
• There is no need of server to control the connectivity among the nodes in the
topology.
• It is cheap to install and expand.
• Minimum collision.
• Speed to transfer the data is very high in this type of topology.
• Due to the presence of token passing the performance of ring topology becomes
better than bus topology under heavy traffic.
• Easy to manage.
• Ring network is extremely orderly organized where every device has access to the
token and therefore the opportunity to transmit.
o Disadvantages:

• Due to the Uni-directional Ring, a data packet (token) must have to pass through all
the nodes.
• If one workstation shuts down, it affects whole network or if a node goes down
entire network goes down.
• It is slower in performance as compared to the bus topology • It is Expensive.
• Addition and removal of any node during a network is difficult and may cause issue
in network activity.
• Difficult to troubleshoot the ring.
• In order for all the computer to communicate with each other, all computer must be
turned on.
• Total dependence in on one cable.
• They were not Scalable.

4. Mesh topology:

Mesh topology is a type of networking in which all the computers are inter-connected to
each other. In Mesh Topology, the connections between devices take place randomly. The
connected nodes can be computers, switches, hubs, or any other devices.

o Steps:

Step-1) Add the required number of generic switch(s).

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[Figure 4.4.1: Mesh topology step-1]

Step-2) Add the receiver’s side device(s).

[Figure 4.4.2: Mesh topology step-2]

Step-3) Connect all the switches and end devices.

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[Figure 4.4.3: Mesh topology step-3]

Step-4) Assign an IP address to each end device.

[Figure 4.4.4: Mesh topology step-4]

Step-5) We get the required topology.

[Figure 4.4.5: Mesh topology step-5]

o Advantages:

• Failure during a single device won’t break the network.

• There is no traffic problem as there is a dedicated point to point links for every
computer.
• Fault identification is straightforward.
• This topology provides multiple paths to succeed in the destination and tons of
redundancy.
• It provides high privacy and security.
• Data transmission is more consistent because failure doesn’t disrupt its processes.
• Adding new devices won’t disrupt data transmissions.
• This topology has robust features to beat any situation.
• A mesh doesn’t have a centralized authority.

o Disadvantages:

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• It’s costly as compared to the opposite network topologies i.e. star, bus, point to
point topology.
• Installation is extremely difficult in the mesh.
• Power requirement is higher as all the nodes will need to remain active all the time
and share the load.
• Complex process.
• The cost to implement mesh is above other selections.
• There is a high risk of redundant connections.
• Each node requires a further utility cost to think about.
• Maintenance needs are challenging with a mesh.

5. Hybrid topology:

A hybrid topology is defined as a network topology that combines two or more different
network topologies. A hybrid topology can be a combination of bus topology, ring topology
and mesh topology.
o Steps:

Step-1) Add the required number of generic switch(s).

[Figure 4.5.1: Hybrid topology step-1]

Step-2) Add the receiver’s side device(s).

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[Figure 4.5.2: Hybrid topology step-2]

Step-3) Connect all the switches and end devices.

[Figure 4.5.3: Hybrid topology step-3]

Step-4) Assign an IP address to each end device.

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[Figure 4.5.4: Hybrid topology step-4]

Step-5) We get the required topology.

[Figure 4.5.5: Hybrid topology step-5]

o Advantages:

• Adding a new node or deleting the existing node is easy in hybrid topologies.
• Hybrid topology is more secure, reliable, and scalable as compared to individual star,
ring and mesh topology.
• Error detection and troubleshooting is easier in hybrid topology.
• When an organization has a large geographical area utilizing hybrid topology is
considered as better option.
• Traffic with large volume is handled easily by the hybrid topology.
• The overall performance and speed is greater in hybrid topology.

o Disadvantages:

• The design and implementation of hybrid network topology is difficult.

• More number of cables and other physical devices are required for hybrid topology.
• The process of installation of hybrid topology is difficult.

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• The overall implementation, setup and process of hybrid topology is much

morecostlier.

6. Tree topology:

In computer networking, tree topology is a type of network topology that resembles a tree.
In a tree topology, there is one central node (the “trunk”), and each node is connected to
the central node through a single path.

o Steps:

Step-1) Add the required number of generic switch(s).

[Figure 4.6.1: Tree topology step-1]

Step-2) Add the receiver’s side device(s).

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[Figure 4.6.2: Tree topology step-2]

Step-3) Connect all the switches and end devices.

[Figure 4.6.3: Tree topology step-3]

Step-4) Assign an IP address to each end device.

[Figure 4.6.4: Tree topology step-4]

Step-5) We get the required topology.

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[Figure 4.6.6: Tree topology step-6]

o Advantages:

• It can support a large number of nodes.

• It can be easily expanded.
• Additionally, tree topologies are highly scalable and can be easily reconfigured.

o Disadvantages:

• It can be difficult to troubleshoot issues in a tree topology as each node is connected

to multiple other nodes. This can make it hard to identify where the issue is located.
• Tree topology can be less reliable than other topologies such as star or mesh as there
are more potential points of failure. If one node goes down, it can affect the entire
network.
• Tree topology can be more expensive to implement as it requires more cabling and
equipment than other topologies.

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o References:

• https://www.shiksha.com/online-courses/articles/what-is-a-lan-topology-blogId158473
• https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-bus-topology/
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/computer-science/star-topology
• https://www.javatpoint.com/what-is-mesh-topology

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