Computer Network

• A computer network can be defined as a

group of computers and other peripheral
devices interconnected to communicate
and share data and other hardware
devices such as printers, memory, hard
disk and CPU. The computers in a
network can communicate with each
other as well as work independently.
Network
Topologies
• To form a computer network , computers and other devices must be interconnected in some
layout. The layout/Pattern in which various computers are connected to form a network is
called a topology.
• Types of Network Topologies:-

Bus Topology Ring Topology Star Topology Tree/Hybrid Topology Mesh Topology
  In this topology, all nodes in the network are connected to a
Bus Topology
single length of the transmission medium, called a bus
which is normally a co-axial cable. Both ends of the cable
are terminated by terminators. Data transmission from any
workstation can travel in both directions.

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
• It is quite easy to set up a network • When there is a problem with the
using bus topology and a failure in central cable , the entire network
one node will not affect the other stops working
nodes. • If there are a number of
• It is easy to add extra workstations. workstations on the network , data
• It uses less cables when compared can travel slowly
to star topology.
• It can be the best choice of
temporary networks.
Ring Topology  In this topology, each node is connected to two other computers, one on ea
side, to form a closed ring-like structure. The data is transmitted in one
direction only. A node that receives the message from the previous compute
will retransmit it to the next node until it reaches its destination. The
disadvantage of the ring network is that the breakdown of any one compute
on a ring can disable the entire system or network. It is however more reliab
as the communication system is not dependent on one single computer.

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
• The transmission of data is fast as it • When a single machine is switched
happens in one direction. off then the entire network stops
• It is easy to add extra computers with working.
little effect on performance. • If the cable breaks, the network
does not work.
• The data must pass through all
computers until it reaches its
destination.
• This can make the network slow.
• If there are any problems with the
network, it can be difficult to identify
the cause.
Star Topology  In this topology, each node is connected to a central node which is
a switch or a hub using cables. The data to be exchanged between
two computers passes through the central node. The central node
controls all activities of the nodes. More computers can be easily
added to the network. The breakdown of computers does not affect
the functioning of the network. However, the failure of the central
node disables communication across the entire network.

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
• It is very reliable. If one connection It is expensive to install as it requires
fails, it does not affect other extensive cabling.
computers in a network. • Extra hardware such as hubs and
• The security of a network is better switches may be needed.
as there is no interaction of • Installation of the network needs an
computers with each other. expert.
• If the server crashes or stops
working then no computers in the
network can be used.
  In this topology, a root node is connected to two or more sub-level nodes that
Tree/Hybrid Topology are further connected hierarchically to other sub-level nodes. Thus, the shape
a network is like an inverted tree, where the data is transmitted from the centr
node which is at the root and from there, the data passes to the network, whic
is branching out. Tree topology is mainly used to provide broadband
transmission i.e., signals are sent over long distances without reducing its
strength. Since it is a combination of bus and star topology, it is also called as
hybrid topology.

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
• It combines the benefits of different • The design of a hybrid network is
types of topologies in one topology. very complex and expensive to set
• The nodes in the network can be up.
modified as per requirement. • Hybrid topology is larger in scale,
• It is extremely flexible and so they require a lot of cables in
reliable. the installation process.
• It is used to set up a large network.
Mesh Topology  In this topology, each node is connected with every other node in
the network. It can handle large amounts of traffic since multiple
nodes can transmit data simultaneously. Also, such networks are
more reliable, even if a node gets down it does not cause any break
in the transmission of data between other nodes. This topology is
also more secure as compared to other topologies because each
cable between two nodes carries different data.

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
• It is capable of managing heavy • The cost to set up is higher than
traffic as multiple devices can other network topologies.
transmit data simultaneously. • The wiring is complex and the
• A failure of one device does not cabling cost is high in creating such
affect the transmission of data. networks and there are many
redundant or unutilized
connections.
CREDITS-

Name-Aditya Narayan Saha,Class-8, Section-A,

Roll-1,
Computer Presentation On Computer Topologies.