Network

Topologies
 What is Topology

• Topology
 Physical and logical network layout of the network.
 Physical

– actual layout of the computer cables and

other network devices
 Logical

– the way in which the network appears to the

devices that use it.
 why does the topology?

There are a number of reasons:

 Impacts performance.
A factor in determining the media type used
to cable the network.
 Impacts the cost of cabling the network.
 Some access methods can work only with
specific topologies.
 Network Topologies
Network topologies are categorized into the
following basic types:
 Bus
 Ring
 Star
 Tree
 Mesh .
Network Topologies
Bus Topology
Bus Topology
 A bus topology is a type of network setup where each
computer and network device are connected to a single
cable or backbone.
 A bus topology is multipoint.
 How Bus Topology Works

 The bus is the data link in a bus network.

 The bus can only transmit data in one direction, and if any
network segment is severed, all network transmission ceases.
 A host on a bus network is called a station or workstation. In a
bus network, every station receives all network traffic.
 The traffic generated by each station has equal transmission
priority
 Advantages of Bus Topology

 Easy to connect a computer or peripheral to a

linear bus
 Requires less cable length than a star
topology
 It works well for small networks.
 Disadvantages of 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
 It is slow when more devices are added into the network
 If a main cable is damaged then network will fail or be split
into two networks
 Applications of Bus Topology

 Used for broadcasting the message.

 Most Computer Motherboards.
 Used in LAN.
Star Topology
 Star Topology
 All the components of network are
connected to the central device called
“hub” which may be a hub, a router or
a switch.
 There is no direct traffic between
devices.
 The switch is the server and the
peripherals are the clients.
 The star topology reduces the damage
caused by line failure by connecting
all of the systems to a central node.
 Advantages of Star Topology
 better performance.
 Performance of the network is dependent on the capacity
of central hub.
 Easy to connect new nodes or devices.
 In star topology new nodes can be added easily without
affecting rest of the network.
 Components can also be removed easily.
 Centralized management. It helps in monitoring the
network.
 Failureof one node or link doesn’t affect the rest of
network..
 Easy to detect the failure and troubleshoot it.
 Disadvantages of Star Topology

 Too much dependency on central device has its own drawbacks.

 If hub fails whole network goes down.
 The use of hub, a router or a switch as central device increases
the overall cost of the network.
 Performance and number of nodes which can be added in such
topology is depended on capacity of central device
 Applications of Star Topology

 Star Topology used in Local Area Network

(LAN).
 High speed LAN often use Star Topology.
Ring Topology
 Ring Topology

 Devices are connected to each

other in a circular shape.
 Each packet is sent around the
ring until it reaches its final
destination.
 Data travel from node to node,
with each node along the way
handling every packet.
 Advantages of Ring Topology

 Ring Topology is very organized.

 Each node gets to send the data when it receives an empty token.
 This helps to reduces chances of collision.
 All the traffic flows in only one  direction at very high speed.
 Better performance than Bus topology.
 There is no need for network server to control the connectivity
between workstations.
 Additional components do not affect the performance of network.
 Each computer has equal access to resources.
 Disadvantages of Ring Topology

 One broken workstation can create problems for the

entire network.
 Moving, adding and changing the devices can affect the
network.
 Communication delay is directly proportional to number
of nodes in the network.
 Bandwidth is shared on all links between devices.
 More difficult to configure than a Star.
 Applications of Ring Topology

 Ring Topologies are often found in office Buildings.

 Also used in Schools for networking.
 Today high speed LAN made this topology less popular.
Mesh Topology
Mesh Topology
 Mesh Topology

 A mesh network is a network topology in which each node

(called a mesh node) relays data for the network.
 All nodes cooperate in the distribution of data in the network.
 A mesh network can be designed using a flooding technique or a
routing technique.
 Advantages of Mesh Topology

 Data can be transmitted from different devices simultaneously.

 This topology can withstand high traffic.
 If one of the components fails there is always an alternative
present.
 Data transfer doesn’t get affected.
 Expansion and modification in topology can be done without
disrupting other nodes.
 Disadvantages of Mesh Topology

 There are high chances of redundancy in many of the

network connections.
 Overall cost of this network is way too high as compared
to other network topologies.
 Set-up and maintenance of this topology is very difficult.
 Applications of Mesh Topology

 Telephone Regional Office.

 Wide Area Network.
Tree Topology
Tree Topology
 Tree Topology

 Tree Topology integrates the characteristics of Star and

Bus topology.
 The number of Star networks are connected using Bus.
 Main cable seems like a main stem of a tree, and other
star networks as the branches.
 It is also called Expanded Star Topology.
 Ethernet protocol is commonly used in this type of
topology.
 Advantages of Tree Topology

 It is an extension of Star and bus Topologies, so in networks

where these topologies can't be implemented individually for
reasons related to scalability, tree topology is the best alternative.
 Expansion of Network is possible and easy.
 Divide the whole network into segments (star networks), which
can be easily managed and maintained.
 Error detection and correction is easy.
 Each segment is provided with dedicated point-to-point wiring to
the central hub.
 If one segment is damaged, other segments are not affected.
 Disadvantages of Tree Topology

 Because of its basic structure, tree topology, relies heavily

on the main bus cable, if it breaks whole network is
crippled.
 As more and more nodes and segments are added, the
maintenance becomes difficult.
 Scalability of the network depends on the type of cable .