NETWORK TOPOLOGY

Introduction
• Network topology is a physical arrangement through
which various endpoints and links in an enterprise
network communicate with each other.
• Organizations use network topology to define how their
network nodes are linked to each other.
• The structure of a network can directly impact its
functioning.
• Therefore, companies must select the most suitable
topology for their network to bolster performance and
enhance data efficiency.
Contd..
• The right topology also optimizes resource allocation
and minimizes operational costs.
• Different types of network topologies exist, and
businesses can choose the one that best suits their
requirements by considering the size, budget, and goals
of their organization.
Categories
• The two major categories of topology are physical and
logical.
• Physical network topology refers to the structure of the
physical medium for data transmission.
• logical network topology refers to how the network
transmits data between devices, regardless of how
these devices are connected physically.
Types of Network Topology
• Some common physical network topologies used by
organizations include point to point, bus, ring, star, tree,
mesh, and hybrid topology networks.
• Each type consists of different node and link
configurations and has its own advantages and
disadvantages.
1. Point to point topology
• Point to point is a simple topology that directly links two
nodes and reserves the entire bandwidth of the
connection for them to communicate with one another.
• Physically, point-to-point connections rely on a cable or
wire that connects the two endpoints.
• A basic example of a point-to-point connection is
changing the temperature of an air conditioning unit
using a remote control.
Benefits of Point to Challenges of Point to
Point Topology Point Topology
•Superior bandwidth, as •Only applicable for small
only two nodes use the link areas with nodes
•High speed when physically close to each
compared to other types of other
network topologies •High dependence on the
•Simple to implement common link; if the link
•Easy to maintain and fails, the network goes
handle down
•Low instances of latency •Only useful if the network
has two nodes; thus, not
applicable for many
modern use cases
2. Bus topology
• In a bus topology, all the nodes are linked using a single cable with a
terminator on both ends.
• This configuration sees one main cable acting as the backbone for the
whole network.
• In such an arrangement, the server node transmits data from one end
of the cable and in a single direction to the client node. As the data
travels to each node, its destination address (MAC/IP) is checked to see
if it is received and processed. If there is a mismatch in the address,
the node does not do anything with the data.
• This way, only the node that recognizes its address uses the data that
travels on the single cable, while the other nodes are unaffected. Once
the data reaches the end of the cable, the terminator removes it to
prevent signal bouncing.
Benefits of Bus Topology Challenges of Bus Topology
•Easy to add new devices and •Device failure and other network
replace or remove existing faults are difficult to locate in the
devices without affecting other network
devices connected to the network •Damage to the backbone cable
•Failure in a few devices does not can bring the entire network to a
affect other devices, or the halt
network •Increase in the bandwidth
•Less cable is required when consumption of a few devices can
compared to other network affect the performance of the
topologies such as mesh and whole network
star; the cable can be extended •Slower operations, as only one
easily whenever required node transmits data at a time
•Low privacy, as all nodes receive
the signal sent by the server
•Data loss over long distances
3. Ring topology
• In a ring topology, each node is linked with its neighbor
to form a closed network.
• This configuration sees the data move from one node to
another, either unidirectionally or bidirectionally.
• Such network topology is used in smaller networks, like
those in schools.
Benefits of Ring Topology Challenges of Ring
Topology
•Circular flow of data •A single failure in the cable
minimizes packet collision can disrupt overall network
•Unidirectional ring operations
topologies feature high- •Unidirectional ring
speed data transmission networks see data packets
•Robust system–can handle pass through numerous
a high number of nodes and nodes before reaching their
heavy traffic destination
•Lower chances of data loss •Adding, modifying, or
over long distances removing nodes is difficult
•Faults are located more and can disrupt network
easily, making activity
troubleshooting efficient
4. Star topology
• In a star topology, all nodes are connected to a central
hub using a communication link.
• Each node needs a separate wire to establish a point-to-
point connection with the hub, which functions as a
server to control and manage the entire network.
• In such a configuration, if one endpoint wants to
transmit data to another endpoint, it must send the
request to the central hub, forwarding the message to
the intended recipient.
Benefits of Star Challenges of Star
Topology Topology
•Easy network •Choosing the right
maintenance and central hub is vital, as
management since each this device needs to be
node has its own cable compatible with all
•Failures affect only one nodes and links in the
device and problem network
areas are located swiftly •Higher requirement of
•Adding new devices is cables and connectors
simple and •Failure of the central
straightforward hub brings down the
•Rapid data transfer entire network
5. Tree topology
•
In a tree topology, nodes are arranged in a
configuration that resembles a tree’s leaves, branches,
and trunk.
• Endpoints, or ‘leaves,’ are connected to mid-level nodes
or ‘branches’ linked to the tree’s ‘trunk.’
• The trunk is the backbone connection that links
multiple mid-level nodes.
• Tree topologies are suitable for large networks such as
offices, university campuses, and hospitals.
Benefits of Tree Topology Challenges of Tree
Topology
•Ideal for nodes that are •Large volume of cabling
grouped together and numerous hubs are
•Superior scalability; more required
nodes and hierarchies can •Difficult to configure and
be added without disrupting maintain
the existing network •Failure of the central
•In case of damage to one backbone (trunk) brings the
part of the network, other entire network down
nodes and hierarchies
remain unaffected
•Swift and easy fault
identification and
maintenance
6. Mesh topology
• In a mesh topology, all the nodes are interconnected
and can send and receive their data and relay data from
other nodes.
• Full mesh networks, wherein each node is connected to
every other node, are usually reserved for critical
networks as they are extremely costly to implement and
challenging to maintain.
Benefits of Mesh Challenges of Mesh
topology Topology
•Extremely robust and •Requires many cables and
redundant, as any node or input/output (I/O) ports
link failure, affects a •Time-consuming
minimum number of installation and
endpoints maintenance
•Highly efficient data •Cost-intensive
transfer due to dedicated
point-to-point links for all
devices
•Robust security and privacy
•Swift fault identification
7. Hybrid topology
• A hybrid network topology, as the name suggests,
features characteristics of multiple other topologies.
• The creation of such a configuration depends on the
requirement of the network.
• Two most commonly used hybrid topologies are star-ring
and star-bus. In the former, the central hubs of multiple
star topologies are linked using a ring topology. In the
latter, the hubs of numerous star topologies are
connected using a bus topology.
Benefits of Hybrid Challenges of Hybrid
Topology Topology
•Combines the advantages •Depending on the
of multiple topologies configuration, such a
•Can be tailor-made to suit network can be resource-
specific network intensive to create and
requirements maintain
•Highly flexible and scalable •Potentially complicated
if implemented correctly design that could make
troubleshooting difficult
•Requires compatible
cabling and other hardware
for inter-topology links