Lecture 5

Network Topologies
 Topology
• Topology refers to the physical layout of its
computers, cables, and other resources, and
also to how those components communicate
with each other.
• Topology has a significant effect on the
network’s performance and growth, and
equipment decisions.
Physical topology Vs. Logical Topology

• Physical: the arrangement of cabling that

interconnects network devices (bus, ring,
star)
• Logical : the path that data travels
between computers on network (bus,
ring, switching)
 What are the differences of physical
topology and logical topology

• A network can be wired using one physical

topology but pass data from machine to
machine by using a different logical topology.
Example:
• The logical topologies (bus, ring, switching)
are usually implemented as a physical star.
 Bus Topology
The network is configured in the shape of an
open ended line with all nodes connected to
the bus individually
 Physical Bus topology
• Bus Topology is the simplest of
network topologies. In this type of topology, all
the nodes (computers as well as servers) are
connected to the single cable (called bus), by the
help of interface connectors.
• This central cable is the backbone of the network
and is known as Bus.
 Physical Bus topology
Advantages of Bus Topology
• Easy to connect a computer or peripheral to a
linear bus.
Disadvantages of Bus Topology
• Entire network shuts down if there is a break in
the main cable.
Property inherent on a physical bus
Signal bounce
 Physical Bus topology
Signal bounce
• A signal traveling across a network continuously,
bouncing back and forth and preventing other
computers from sending data. To prevent this, a
terminator is used.
Terminator
• is attached to each end of a cable to prevent
signals from bouncing.
• The terminator absorbs all signals that reach it,
clearing the network for new communications.
 Logical Bus topology
• Although physical bus is obsolete, logical bus
topology is still in use.
• When a computer has data to send it addresses
that data, breaks it into manageable chunks, and
send it across the network as electronic signals
• All computers on a logical bus receive them
• Only the destination computer accepts the data
• All users must share the available amount of
transmission time, therefore network
performance is reduced
 Logical Bus topology
• The more computers that are ready to send data
at the same time, the longer some computers
must wait to send data; which slows the overall
network performance.
 Ring Topology
Ring topology refers to a specific kind of network
setup in which devices are connected in a ring
and pass information to or from each other
 Physical Ring topology
• A physical ring network is when each computer
connects directly to the next computer in line,
ending at the starting computer.
• Because the circle has no end, signals travel in one
direction around the ring; this eliminates the need
for termination.
• Every computer in a ring is responsible for
retransmitting the data, making it an active topology.
• A typical ring network can fail if one computer in the
ring fails, but a dual-ring network can still operate is
such a failure occurs.
 Physical Ring topology
• Ring network topology is usually used to
connect LANs with a technology called Fiber
Distributed Data Interface (FDDI).
• This devices used to connect buildings form a
ring, but computers in each LAN are
connected with a physical star topology.
 Logical Ring topology
• The data in a logical ring topology travels from one device
to the next until it reaches its destination.
• token passing; when small packet called a token passes
around the ring to each computer in turn.
• If a computer has information to send, it modifies the
token, adds address information and the data, then sends it
around the ring. The information travels around the ring
until it reaches its destination or returns to the sender.
• When the intended destination receives the information, it
returns a message to the sender to acknowledge its safe
arrival.
 Star Topology
A star topology is a topology for a Local Area
Network (LAN) in which all nodes are
individually connected to a central connection
point, like a hub or a switch.
 Physical Star topology
• A star topology describes computers connected
by cable segments to a central device.

Advantages:
• Centralization of resources, easy for
administration and trouble shooting.
• Robust: network still works even any computer
or cable segment fails.
 Physical Star topology
Disadvantages:
• Single point for failure.
• Requires more cable installation.
 Logical Star topology

1- Logical Bus on Physical Star (Star bus)

• When the arrangement cables forms a physical star,
but data traveling to the computers follows a logical
bus, the result is referred to as a “star bus.”
• A hub or switch is the central device in this topology.
• All computers hear the signal and check the
destination address, but only the computer to which
the data is addresses processes the data further.
 Logical Star topology

2- Logical Ring on Physical Star (Star ring)

• A “star ring” topology also uses a star’s physical
cable arrangement, but data travel within the
central device is in a ring configuration.
• The central device in this topology is called a
concentrator, or multistation access unit (MAU).
 Logical Star topology
3- Switching on physical star
• A switch takes a signal coming from a device
connected and builds a circuit on the fly to forward the
signal to the intended destination computer.
• This process is called switching because at one
moment the circuit between two computers does not
exist and the next moment it does, like tuning on a
switch.
• Superior to other logical topologies because, unlike
bus and ring, multiple computers can communicate
simultaneously without affecting each other
• Dominant method used in almost every LAN design
Variations of physical Topologies
• Combination Star Bus Topology (Tree)
• Mesh
Tree Topology
• In computer networks, a tree topology is also known as a star bus topology.
It incorporates elements of both a bus topology and a star topology. Below
is an example network diagram of a tree topology, in which the central
nodes of two star networks are connected to one another.
• if the main cable between each of the two star topology networks were to
fail, those networks would be unable to communicate with each other.
However, computers on the same star topology would still be able to
communicate.
Mesh Topology
• A fully connected network, or mesh topology is a
network topology in which there is a direct link
between all pairs of nodes. In a fully connected
network with n nodes, there are n(n-1)/2 direct
links.
Wireless Topologies
Wireless networking has a logical and physical topology

Ad hoc topology: two computers can communicate directly

with one another; sometimes called a peer-to peer topology
• IBSS (Independent Basic Service Set): a group of nodes
communicating in ad-hoc mode

Infrastructure mode: Use a central device, called an access

point (AP), to control communications
• Star physical topology because all the signals travel
through one central device
• Logical bus topology
• BSS (Basic Service Set): a group of nodes communicating
in infrastructure mode.