NETWORK TOPOLOGY
TOPOLOGY
• Topology is a pattern used to arrange the nodes or stations of a network. It is an
arrangement of links and nodes on a network.
• Network Topology defines the layout, or structure of a network not only physical
but also logical.
• Logical Topology – It means how information is passed between two nodes in a
network.
• Physical Topology – It means how devices are connected to each other. It is the
physical arrangement of the devices on a network. There is various physical
topology in a network.
1. BUS Topology 3. STAR Topology 5.TREE Topology
2. RING Topology 4. MESH Topology 6. HYBRID Topology
BUS TOPOLOGY
• All the nodes are connected to the single main cable.
• All data transmitted between nodes in the network is transmitted over this
common transmission medium.
• The main cable known as BUS acts as a backbone of network,
• Both ends of this network have a line terminator. It removes the data from the
line.
ADVANTAGES OF BUS TOPOLOGY
• BUS network is useful in small networks.
• Requires only one cable length therefore less expensive.
• Node failure does not affect communication.
DISADVANTAGES OF BUS TOPOLOGY
• No security.
• The whole network depends on a single cable, if any problem with the main
cable, the whole network is shut down.
• Not a fault-tolerant network.
• Network goes too slow if more devices are added.
• No two nodes can transmit the data at the same time.
• The messages are broadcast, so we cannot send private.
Local Area Networks (LANs): Bus topology was traditionally common in LAN
setups where all devices are connected to a single backbone cable. While less
common today due to its limitations, it's still found in some telephone
communication and legacy systems.
RING TOPOLOGY
• All the nodes are connected in a closed loop.
• Each node is connected to its nearest neighbors.
• Unidirectional
• Sending and Receiving data takes place with the help of tokens.
ADVANTAGES OF RING TOPOLOGY
• Since data flows in one direction the chances of a packet collision are reduced.
• Easy to identify and isolate a single point of failure.
DISADVANTAGES OF RING TOPOLOGY
• If one device fails, the entire network is impacted.
• Delayed in data flow
• More node (Load), less performance
In small peer-to-peer networks, such as those found in small offices or homes,
devices may be connected in a ring topology to facilitate communication. For
instance, in a simple network where computers are connected via Ethernet cables, a
ring arrangement could be used to pass data from one computer to the next until it
reaches its destination.
STAR TOPOLOGY
• All the nodes are connected to central node, which can be hub or switch.
• All the devices communicate through central device.
• Data from the source node is first delivered to the central device and is then
transferred to the destination nodes.
• The central device acts as backbone of the network.
ADVANTAGES OF STAR TOPOLOGY
• Easy to install and modify.
• Central node can be easily upgraded.
• Fast performance because data does not pass through every node, unlike BUS
topology.
• Additional of new nodes does not affect the performance of other nodes.
• If one nodes fails, it doesn’t affect the other node or the follow of data in the
network.
• Scalable network.
• Provides security and privacy
DISADVANTAGES OF STAR TOPOLOGY
• Increased cost due to hub or switch.
• If hub or switch fails whole network is affected.
• Bottlenecks due to overloaded switch or hub.
Most modern Ethernet networks use a star topology where each device connects
directly to a central switch or hub. This setup offers better reliability and easier
troubleshooting compared to bus or ring topologies.
- Home Networks: Home networks often utilize a star topology with a router
serving as the central hub, connecting all devices like computers, smartphones,
smart TVs, etc.
MESH TOPOLOGY
• All Nodes are connected to every other node.
• Every device has a decided point-to-point link with every other device.
• There are two types of MESH Topology
1. Full MESH Topology – Each node is directly connected to all the other nodes
on the network.
2. Partial MESH Topology – Some nodes are not connected to every node.
ADVANTAGES OF MESH TOPOLOGY
• If one of the node fails, then there is always an alternative.
• Network can handle a very high volume of traffic because all connection are
direct.
• New nodes can be added without disrupting other nodes.
• Data transmission is very fast between two nodes because all devices are
point-to-point connected.
• Provides security and privacy
DISADVANTAGES OF MESH TOPOLOGY
• More expensive as compared to other topologies as more cables are required
for connections.
• Installation and maintenance are difficult
Mesh topology is widely used in wireless networks where each node not only connects to a
central point but also directly communicates with other nodes, forming a mesh. This is
common in IoT deployments, smart cities, and large-scale wireless networks.
TREE TOPOLOGY
• Uses BUS & STAR topology together to create a network.
• Combines many STAR topologies using the main cable.
• Tree topology is similar to BUS topology because all devices are connected to
the main cable. Main cable acts as backbone of the network.
• Also known as Hierarchical topology as devices are connected in hierarchical
form.
ADVANTAGES OF TREE TOPOLOGY
• Expansion of nodes is possible and is easy.
• If any device is damaged, other networks are not affected.
• Scalable
DISADVANTAGES OF TREE TOPOLOGY
• If the main backbone line breaks then the entire network shuts down.
• Huge amount of cable is needed.
• Complex Design
• Difficult to manage, if the network is large.
• No security
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): ISPs often employ a tree topology to connect
various regions to a central backbone, allowing for efficient data routing across
vast geographic areas.
HYBRID TOPOLOGY
• It is a mixture of two or more type of topology.
ADVANTAGES OF HYBRID TOPOLOGY:
• It is extremely flexible, can be modified as per requirement.
• It is easily scalable
• Handles a large volume of traffic.
DISADVANTAGES OF HYBRID TOPOLOGY :
• Expensive.
• Complex Design
• Require lot of cables in the installation process.
• Installation is a difficult process.
Data Centers: Data centers require high-performance, fault-tolerant networks to handle
massive amounts of data and ensure uninterrupted service. A hybrid topology combining
elements of star, mesh, and perhaps even ring or tree topologies can be utilized to optimize
data center networking. For example, a star topology might be used within racks for server
connectivity, while a mesh topology could be implemented at the core for redundancy and
scalability.
