Network Topologies

• In Computer Network ,there are various ways through which different

components are connected to one another.
• Network Topology is the way that defines the structure, and how
these components/nodes are connected to each other.
• Nodes usually include devices such as switches, routers and software
with switch and router features. Network topologies are often
represented as a graph.
• Network topologies describe the arrangement of networks and the
relative location of traffic flows.
Types of Network Topology
• The arrangement of a network that comprises nodes and connecting lines
via sender and receiver is referred to as Network Topology. The various
network topologies are:
• Point to Point Topology
• Mesh Topology
• Star Topology
• Bus Topology
• Ring Topology
• Tree Topology
• Hybrid Topology
Why is network topology important?
• Choosing the right topology can help increase performance, as a
properly chosen and maintained network topology increases energy
efficiency and data transfer rates.
• A well-defined network topology makes it easier for network admins
to locate faults, troubleshoot issues and to allocate network
resources.
Bus topology
• Bus topology is a network type in which every computer and network
device is connected to a single cable.
• It is bi-directional.
• It is a multi-point connection and a non-robust topology because if
the backbone fails the topology crashes.
• A common example of bus topology is the Ethernet LAN, where all
devices are connected to a single coaxial cable or twisted pair cable.
This topology is also used in cable television networks.
Advantages of Bus Topology
• If N devices are connected to each other in a bus topology, then the
number of cables required to connect them is 1, known as backbone
cable, and N drop lines are required.
• Coaxial or twisted pair cables are mainly used in bus-based networks
that support up to 10 Mbps.
• The cost of the cable is less compared to other topologies, but it is
used to build small networks.
• Bus topology is familiar technology as installation and troubleshooting
techniques are well known.
• CSMA is the most common method for this type of topology.
Drawbacks of Bus Topology
• A bus topology is quite simpler, but still, it requires a lot of cabling.
• If the common cable fails, then the whole system will crash down.
• If the network traffic is heavy, it increases collisions in the network. To
avoid this, various protocols are used in the MAC layer known as Pure
Aloha, Slotted Aloha, CSMA/CD, etc.
• Adding new devices to the network would slow down networks.
• Security is very low.
Ring topology
• In a Ring topology, it forms a ring connecting devices with exactly two
neighboring devices.
• A number of repeaters are used for Ring topology with a large
number of nodes, because if someone wants to send some data to
the last node in the ring topology with 100 nodes, then the data will
have to pass through 99 nodes to reach the 100th node. Hence to
prevent data loss repeaters are used in the network.
• The data flows in one direction, i.e. it is unidirectional, but it can be
made bidirectional by having 2 connections between each Network
Node, it is called Dual Ring Topology.
• In-Ring Topology, the Token Ring Passing protocol is used by the
workstations to transmit the data.
• The most common access method of ring topology is token passing.
• Token passing: It is a network access method in which a token is
passed from one node to another node.
• Token: It is a frame/signal that circulates around the network.
Operations of Ring Topology
• One station is known as a monitor station which takes all the
responsibility for performing the operations.
• To transmit the data, the station has to hold the token. After the
transmission is done, the token is to be released for other stations to
use.
• When no station is transmitting the data, then the token will circulate
in the ring.
• There are two types of token release techniques: Early token
release releases the token just after transmitting the data
and Delayed token release releases the token after the
acknowledgment is received from the receiver.
Advantages of Ring Topology
• The data transmission is high-speed.
• The possibility of collision is minimum in this type of topology.
• Cheap to install and expand.
• It is less costly than a star topology.
Drawbacks of Ring Topology
• The failure of a single node in the network can cause the entire network
to fail.
• Troubleshooting is difficult in this topology.
• The addition of stations in between or the removal of stations can
disturb the whole topology.
• Less secure.
Star topology
• In star topology, all the devices are connected to a single hub through
a cable.
• This hub is the central node and all other nodes are connected to the
central node.
• The hub can be passive in nature i.e., not an intelligent hub such as
broadcasting devices, at the same time the hub can be intelligent
known as an active hub.
• Active hubs have repeaters in them.
• Coaxial cables or RJ-45 cables are used to connect the computers.
Advantages of Star Topology
• If N devices are connected to each other in a star topology, then the
number of cables required to connect them is N. So, it is easy to set
up.
• Each device requires only 1 port i.e. to connect to the hub, therefore
the total number of ports required is N.
• It is Robust. If one link fails only that link will affect and not other than
that.
• Easy to fault identification and fault isolation.
• Star topology is cost-effective as it uses inexpensive coaxial cable.
Drawbacks of star topology
• If the concentrator (hub) on which the whole topology relies fails, the
whole system will crash down.
• The cost of installation is high.
• Performance is based on the single concentrator i.e. hub.
• A common example of star topology is a local area network (LAN) in
an office where all computers are connected to a central hub. This
topology is also used in wireless networks where all devices are
connected to a wireless access point.
Mesh topology
• The mesh network topology links nodes with connections so that
multiple paths between at least some points of the network are
available.
• A network is considered to be fully meshed if all nodes are directly
connected to all other nodes and partially meshed if only some nodes
have multiple connections to others.
• Meshing multiple paths increases resiliency but also increases cost.
However, more space is needed for dedicated links.
• A common example of mesh topology is the internet backbone,
where various internet service providers are connected to each other
via dedicated channels.
Advantages of Mesh Topology
• Communication is very fast between the nodes.
• Mesh Topology is robust.
• The fault is diagnosed easily. Data is reliable because data is
transferred among the devices through dedicated channels or links.
• Provides security and privacy.
Drawbacks of Mesh Topology
• Installation and configuration are difficult.
• The cost of cables is high as bulk wiring is required, hence suitable for
less number of devices.
• The cost of maintenance is high.