Network Topology

Network Topology refers to the layout of a network and how different nodes in a network are
connected to each other and how they communicate. Topologies are either physical (the physical
layout of devices on a network) or logical (the way that the signals act on the network media, or
the way that the data passes through the network from one device to the next).

BUS Topology
Bus topology is a network type in which every computer and network device is
connected to single cable. When it has exactly two endpoints, then it is called Linear
Bus topology.
Features of Bus Topology

1. It transmits data only in one direction.

2. Every device is connected to a single cable

Advantages of Bus Topology

1. It is cost effective.
2. Cable required is least compared to other network topology.
3. Used in small networks.
4. It is easy to understand.
5. Easy to expand joining two cables together.

Disadvantages of Bus Topology

1. Cables fails then whole network fails.

2. If network traffic is heavy or nodes are more the performance of the network
decreases.
3. Cable has a limited length.
4. It is slower than the ring topology.
RING Topology
It is called ring topology because it forms a ring as each computer is connected to
another computer, with the last one connected to the first. Exactly two neighbours for
each device.
features of Ring Topology

1. A number of repeaters are used for Ring topology with large number of nodes,
because if someone wants to send some data to the last node in the ring
topology with 100 nodes, then the data will have to pass through 99 nodes to
reach the 100th node. Hence to prevent data loss repeaters are used in the
network.
2. The transmission is unidirectional, but it can be made bidirectional by having 2
connections between each Network Node, it is called Dual Ring Topology.
3. In Dual Ring Topology, two ring networks are formed, and data flow is in opposite
direction in them. Also, if one ring fails, the second ring can act as a backup, to
keep the network up.
4. Data is transferred in a sequential manner that is bit by bit. Data transmitted, has
to pass through each node of the network, till the destination node

Advantages of Ring Topology

1. Transmitting network is not affected by high traffic or by adding more nodes, as

only the nodes having tokens can transmit data.
2. Cheap to install and expand

Disadvantages of Ring Topology

1. Troubleshooting is difficult in ring topology.

2. Adding or deleting the computers disturbs the network activity.
3. Failure of one computer disturbs the whole network

Star Topology
Compare and Contrast Network Topologies (Star, Mesh, Bus, Hybrid etc)

Computer networking has been around for several decades, which is the backbone of what
we all know as the Internet today. The Internet is simply a network of networks, which
means there is no such thing as a standalone computer on a network.

For a user or host computer to participate in data and resource sharing, it has to be
connected to some form of network topology.

This has brought about the evolution of computer networking to include more devices,
which will further enhance the process of information sharing across different geographical
locations.

Most people are already familiar with terminologies such as Local Area Networks or LANs,
which means the computers are within the same geographical location or building.

Wide Area Networks or WANs, which means the devices are separated by geographical
distance. There are other terminologies used in computer networking such as Metropolitan
Area Network or MAN, and Personal Area Network or PAN.

Table Of Contents
Physical or Logical Network Topologies
Types of Network Topologies

Bus Topology – Advantages and Disadvantages

Star Topology – Advantages and Disadvantages

Ring Topology – Advantages and Disadvantages

Hybrid Topology – Advantages and Disadvantages

Tree Topology – Advantages and Disadvantages

Mesh Topology – Advantages and Disadvantages

Physical or Logical Network Topologies

With the brief introduction provided above, we simply understand what a basic computer
network is all about.

A network topology can either be the physical or logical arrangement of devices on a

network.

These connected devices can be routers, switches, firewalls, network printers, wireless
access points, user computers etc (basically anything that can be assigned an IP
address). Note that end user devices are also part of the network topology.

Logical topology deals with how data is transferred and flows on the network, while physical
topology is concerned with the physical layout of the devices on the network and how they
are physically connected.

Types of Network Topologies

Network topology goes beyond logical or physical arrangement of devices. This brings us to
the various types of network topologies available today. These topologies are Bus, Star,
Ring, Tree, Hybrid and Mesh network topologies. Let us take a closer look at each of these
types mentioned.

Bus Topology – Advantages and Disadvantages

Bus topology has a network arrangement where nodes make use of a single communication
line for data transmission.

Many networks at the beginning of computer networking era made use of this topology due
to easy implementation.

MORE READING: Network Failover Redundancy Scenario – Two sites with two ASA
Firewalls

Advantages

 Since there is a single communication line, means the same medium is shared.
Therefore, the major advantage of using this topology is its simplicity.
 Easy to setup and extend.
 Less costly. Less cabling needs.

Disadvantages

 On the other hand, having a single communication line for data transmission makes
it easier for collision to occur, which is seen as a disadvantage of using this network
topology.
 If the single network cable has a problem or disconnection, the whole network
breaks.
 Difficult to identify a problem.
  All devices receive all signals from every other host. This is not efficient.

Star Topology – Advantages and Disadvantages

The star network topology is one of the most commonly used topologies today because of
its simplicity and efficiency.

In this kind of topology, a centralized node is located at the core of the network topology, in
which all the other nodes must communicate through.

This topology is mostly used in homes and offices today. For example, the classic Ethernet
LAN networks are using the Star Topology. There is an Ethernet Switch (centralized node)
on which all computers and network devices are connected to.

Advantages

 Easy to install and implement with wiring etc.

 Easy to troubleshoot and detect problems in the network.
 If one device fails, it does not affect the other devices in the network.
 You can easily add or remove devices without affecting the rest of the network.
 Centralized management and monitoring through the central switch/hub.

Disadvantages
  The main disadvantage of using this topology is that it has a single point of failure,
i.e. when the central switch node is down, there will be a break in communication for
all connected devices.
 More cabling is needed since you connect each individual devices to the central
node.
 Performance of the whole network depends on the performance of the central node.

Compare and Contrast Network Topologies (Star, Mesh, Bus, Hybrid etc)

Computer networking has been around for several decades, which is the backbone of what
we all know as the Internet today. The Internet is simply a network of networks, which
means there is no such thing as a standalone computer on a network.

For a user or host computer to participate in data and resource sharing, it has to be
connected to some form of network topology.

This has brought about the evolution of computer networking to include more devices,
which will further enhance the process of information sharing across different geographical
locations.

Most people are already familiar with terminologies such as Local Area Networks or LANs,
which means the computers are within the same geographical location or building.
Wide Area Networks or WANs, which means the devices are separated by geographical
distance. There are other terminologies used in computer networking such as Metropolitan
Area Network or MAN, and Personal Area Network or PAN.

Table Of Contents

Physical or Logical Network Topologies

With the brief introduction provided above, we simply understand what a basic computer
network is all about.

A network topology can either be the physical or logical arrangement of devices on a

network.

These connected devices can be routers, switches, firewalls, network printers, wireless
access points, user computers etc (basically anything that can be assigned an IP
address). Note that end user devices are also part of the network topology.

Logical topology deals with how data is transferred and flows on the network, while physical
topology is concerned with the physical layout of the devices on the network and how they
are physically connected.

Types of Network Topologies

Network topology goes beyond logical or physical arrangement of devices. This brings us to
the various types of network topologies available today. These topologies are Bus, Star,
Ring, Tree, Hybrid and Mesh network topologies. Let us take a closer look at each of these
types mentioned.

Bus Topology – Advantages and Disadvantages

Bus topology has a network arrangement where nodes make use of a single communication
line for data transmission.

Many networks at the beginning of computer networking era made use of this topology due
to easy implementation.

MORE READING: Network Failover Redundancy Scenario – Two sites with two ASA
Firewalls

Advantages

 Since there is a single communication line, means the same medium is shared.
Therefore, the major advantage of using this topology is its simplicity.
 Easy to setup and extend.
 Less costly. Less cabling needs.

Disadvantages

 On the other hand, having a single communication line for data transmission makes
it easier for collision to occur, which is seen as a disadvantage of using this network
topology.
 If the single network cable has a problem or disconnection, the whole network
breaks.
 Difficult to identify a problem.
  All devices receive all signals from every other host. This is not efficient.

Star Topology – Advantages and Disadvantages

The star network topology is one of the most commonly used topologies today because of
its simplicity and efficiency.

In this kind of topology, a centralized node is located at the core of the network topology, in
which all the other nodes must communicate through.

This topology is mostly used in homes and offices today. For example, the classic Ethernet
LAN networks are using the Star Topology. There is an Ethernet Switch (centralized node)
on which all computers and network devices are connected to.

Advantages

 Easy to install and implement with wiring etc.

 Easy to troubleshoot and detect problems in the network.
 If one device fails, it does not affect the other devices in the network.
 You can easily add or remove devices without affecting the rest of the network.
 Centralized management and monitoring through the central switch/hub.

Disadvantages
  The main disadvantage of using this topology is that it has a single point of failure,
i.e. when the central switch node is down, there will be a break in communication for
all connected devices.
 More cabling is needed since you connect each individual devices to the central
node.
 Performance of the whole network depends on the performance of the central node.

Mesh Topology – Advantages and Disadvantages

Mesh network topologies create a scenario where there is connection to and from each
node that is connected on the network. That is, all network nodes are interconnected
between them just like a mesh.

Mesh topologies are used in mission critical network environments such as hospitals or
financial institutions, where availability is of utmost importance.
Advantages

 The main advantage of this type is fault tolerance, which is because of the redundant
links that are created.
 If one device/node in the network fails, the rest of the devices can work normally
without interruption.
 Adding more devices in the network does not affect the rest of the devices.

Disadvantages

 The obvious disadvantage of using this type of network is the high cost of
implementation.
 Implementation and maintenance of such a topology is time consuming and difficult.
 Cabling cost is high.

Ring Topology – Advantages and Disadvantages

Ring topology presents devices that are arranged in a circular form or just like a ring.

Although the layout of the devices is very similar to bus a topology, ring topology is a closed
loop.

Ring networks are not used much nowadays.

Advantages
  The advantage of using this network topology is the ability to have fast network
throughput.
 Less packet collisions.
 High speed transfers.
 Token is used between nodes thus making this performing better than bus topology.

Disadvantage

 The disadvantage is the point of failure, as a single node can break the transmission
of data on the network