N
E
T
W
O
R
K
S
What is a
Network?
A network is 2 or
more computers
joined together to
share files or
hardware
• 2 or more
What do we computers
• A hub or switch
need? • A server
• Cabels
• Router
NETWORK TOPOLOGIES
STAR TOPOLOGY
Star Topology: Many home networks use the star topology. A
star network features a central connection point called a "hub"
that may be a hub, switch or router. Devices typically connect to
the hub with Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) Ethernet.
Advantages of a Star Topology
• Easy to install and wire.
• No disruptions to the network when connecting or removing
devices.
• Easy to detect faults and to remove parts.
Disadvantages of a Star Topology
• Requires more cable length than a linear topology.
• If the hub or concentrator fails, nodes attached are disabled.
• More expensive than linear bus topologies because of the cost of
the concentrators.
BUS NETWORK
Bus Topology: Bus networks (not to be confused with the system
bus of a computer) use a common backbone to connect all devices.
A single cable, the backbone functions as a shared communication
medium that devices attach or tap into with an interface connector.
A device wanting to communicate with another device on the
network sends a broadcast message onto the wire that all other
devices see, but only the intended recipient actually accepts and
processes the message.
Advantages of a Linear Bus Topology
• Easy to connect a computer or peripheral to a linear bus.
• Requires less cable length than a star topology.
Disadvantages of a Linear Bus Topology
• Entire network shuts down if there is a break in the main cable.
• Terminators are required at both ends of the backbone cable.
• Difficult to identify the problem if the entire network shuts down.
• Not meant to be used as a stand-alone solution in a large building.
TREE NETWORK
Tree Topology: Tree topologies integrate multiple star topologies
together onto a bus. In its simplest form, only hub devices connect
directly to the tree bus, and each hub functions as the "root" of a
tree of devices. This bus/star hybrid approach supports future
expandability of the network much better than a bus (limited in the
number of devices due to the broadcast traffic it generates) or a star
(limited by the number of hub connection points) alone.
Advantages of a Tree Topology
• Point-to-point wiring for individual segments.
• Supported by several hardware and software venders.
Disadvantages of a Tree Topology
• Overall length of each segment is limited by the type of cabling
used.
• If the backbone line breaks, the entire segment goes down.
• More difficult to configure and wire than other topologies.
RING NETWORK
Ring Topology: In a ring network, every device has exactly two
neighbors for communication purposes. All messages travel through
a ring in the same direction (either "clockwise" or
"counterclockwise"). A failure in any cable or device breaks the loop
and can take down the entire network.
Advantages of a Ring Topology
• Requires less cables.
• Easy to set up.
Disadvantages of a Ring Topology
• Entire network shuts down if there is a failure in a cable or a device.
• Difficult to identify the problem if the entire network shuts down.
• Moe devices connected slow down the network.
MESH NETWORK
• Mesh Topology: Mesh topologies involve the concept of routes.
Unlike each of the previous topologies, messages sent on a mesh
network can take any of several possible paths from source to
destination. (Recall that even in a ring, although two cable paths
exist, messages can only travel in one direction.) Some WANs,
most notably the Internet, employ mesh routing.
• Advantages of a Mesh Topology
• Data can travel through many possible paths
• Very fast
• No chance of data collisions
• Disadvantages of a Mesh Topology
• Security is difficult to maintain.
