Network topologies describe the ways in which the elements of a network are

connected. They describe the physical and logical arrangement of network nodes. Let
us look at the advantages different network topologies offer, and their shortfalls.
Bus Topology
 Advantages
 It is best-suited for small networks.
 It is easy to set up, handle, and implement.
 It costs very less.

 Disadvantages
 It is not easy to isolate faults in the network nodes.
 It is suitable for networks with low traffic. High traffic increases load on the
bus, and the network efficiency drops.
 The cable length is limited. This limits the number of network nodes that
can be connected.
 This network topology can perform well only for a limited number of nodes.
When the number of devices connected to the bus increases, the
efficiency decreases.
 It is heavily dependent on the central bus. A fault in the bus leads to
network failure.
 Each device on the network "sees" all the data being transmitted, thus
posing a security risk.

Ring Topology
 Advantages
 In this topology, each node has the opportunity to transmit data. Thus, it is
a very organized network topology.
 The adding or removing of network nodes is easy, as the process requires
changing only two connections.
 The traffic is unidirectional and the data transmission is high-speed.
 The data being transmitted between two nodes passes through all the
intermediate nodes. A central server is not required for the management
of this topology.
 In comparison to a bus, a ring is better at handling load.
 The configuration makes it easy to identify faults in network nodes.
 It is less costly than a star topology.

 Disadvantages
 Data sent from one node to another has to pass through all the
intermediate nodes. This makes the transmission slower in comparison to
that in a star topology. The transmission speed drops with an increase in
the number of nodes.
 The failure of a single node in the network can cause the entire network to
fail.
  The movement or changes made to network nodes affect the entire
network's performance.
 There is heavy dependency on the wire connecting the network nodes in
the ring.

Mesh Topology
 Advantages
 It can handle heavy traffic, as there are dedicated paths between any two
network nodes.
 The arrangement of the network nodes is such that it is possible to
transmit data from one node to many other nodes at the same time.
 The failure of a single node does not cause the entire network to fail as
there are alternate paths for data transmission.
 Point-to-point contact between every pair of nodes, makes it easy to
identify faults.

 Disadvantages
 A lot of cabling is required. Thus, the costs incurred in setup and
maintenance are high.
 The arrangement wherein every network node is connected to every
other node of the network, many connections serve no major purpose.
This leads to redundancy of many network connections.
 Owing to its complexity, the administration of a mesh network is difficult.

Star Topology
 Advantages
 As the analysis of traffic is easy, the topology poses lesser security risk.
 Adding or removing network nodes is easy, and can be done without
affecting the entire network.
 Due to its centralized nature, the topology offers simplicity of operation.
 It also achieves isolation of each device in the network.
 Due to the centralized nature, it is easy to detect faults in the network
devices.
 Data packets do not have to pass through many nodes, like in the case
of a ring network. Thus, with the use of a high-capacity central hub, traffic
load can be handled at fairly decent speeds.

 Disadvantages

Also, the number of nodes that can be added, depends on the capacity of the
central hub.

 Network operation depends on the functioning of the central hub.

Hence, central hub failure leads to failure of the entire network.
 The setup cost is quite high.
Tree Topology
Imagine a hierarchy of network nodes, with the root node serving client nodes that in
turn serve other lower-level nodes. The top-level node is mostly a mainframe computer
while other nodes in the hierarchy are mini or microcomputers. In this arrangement, the
node at each level could be forming a star network with the nodes it serves. In this case,
the structure combines star and bus topologies and inherits their advantages and
disadvantages.
 Advantages
 Fault identification is easy.
 The advantages of centralization that are achieved in a star topology are
inherited by the individual star segments in a tree network.
 The tree topology is useful in cases where a star or bus cannot be
implemented individually. It is most-suited in networking multiple
departments of a university or corporation, where each unit (star
segment) functions separately, and is also connected with the main node
(root node).
 Each star segment gets a dedicated link from the central bus. Thus,
failing of one segment does not affect the rest of the network.
 The network can be expanded by the addition of secondary nodes. Thus,
scalability is achieved.

 Disadvantages
 Owing to its size and complexity, maintenance is not easy and costs are
high. Also, configuration is difficult in comparison to that in other
topologies.
 As multiple segments are connected to a central bus, the network
depends heavily on the bus. Its failure affects the entire network.
 Though it is scalable, the number of nodes that can be added depends on
the capacity of the central bus and on the cable type.

Hybrid Topology
A hybrid topology combines two or more topologies and is meant to reap their
advantages. Obviously, the advantages and disadvantages of a hybrid topology are a
combination of the merits and demerits of the topologies used to structure it.
Go through types of network topologies for a detailed description of the various network
topologies in use today.
 Republic of the Philippines
Northwest Samar State University
Calbayog City, Main Campus

COLLEGE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Associate in Computer Technology

Major in
Computer Hardware and Servicing 2B

NARR
ATIVE
ACT ELEC
IT REPOR PROF. ELECTIVE (MANAGEMENT OF INTERNET
SERVICING)
T

SUBMITTED BY:
Deluta, Jhoanna R. SUBMITTED TO:
Villa, Louie Jay S. Mr. Salvador Flores
ACT-CHS 2B Instructor