3.

0 INTERNET TECHNOLOGY
3.1 Network Basics
3.1.1 Network Topology

LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this topic, students should be able to: 1) Explain types of network topology

What Is a Topology?
A network topology refers to the layout of the computers and devices in a communications network. It refers to both the physical and logical layout of a network.

Diagram of different network topologies.

Ring

Bus

Star

Physical Topology

The arrangement of a cabling is the physical topology.

Logical Topology

The path that data travels between computers on a network is the logical topology.

Types of network topology.

Three commonly used network topologies are:

Bus network

Star network

Ring network

BUS NETWORK TOPOLOGY

Bus Network Topology

A bus network consists of a single central cable (backbone), to which all computers and other devices connect.

Terminator

T-Connector

Backbone

Bus Network Topology

The bus is the physical cable that connects the computers and other devices. The bus in a bus network transmit data, instructions, and information as a series of signal. Those signals are sent as electrical pulses that travel along the length of the cable in all directions.

Bus Network Topology

Each device is connected to the single bus cable through a T-Connector.
A terminator is required at each end of the bus cable to prevent the signal from bouncing back and forth on the bus cable.

Terminator

T-Connector

Backbone

Bus Network Topology

When a sending device transmits data, the address of the receiving device is included with the transmission.

If the device address does not match the intended address for the data, the device ignores the data.
If the data does match the device address, the data is accepted.

All devices receive the data but only the receiving device accept them.

Bus Network Topology

Advantages: 1. Bus networks are inexpensive and easy to install. 2. Computers and other devices can be attached and detached at any point on the bus without disturbing the rest of the network. 3. Failure of one device usually does not affect the rest of the bus network.

Bus Network Topology

Disadvantages: 1. There might be disruption when computer or other devices are added or removed. 2. Because all systems on the network connect to a single cable or backbone, a break in the cable will prevent all systems from accessing the network.

3. It is difficult to identify the problem if the entire network shuts down.

STAR NETWORK TOPOLOGY

Star Network Topology

All the computers and other devices on the network connect to a central device, thus forming a star.

Star Network Topology

Two types of devices that provide a common central connection point to all the other devices on the network are a hub and a switch.

Hub / Switch

Star Network Topology

Hub / Switch The device that provides a common central connection point for other devices on a network. All data that transfers from one device to another passes through the hub or switch. The hub takes a signal that comes from any device and passes it along to all the other devices in the network.
Hub / Switch

Star Network Topology

Advantages: 1. If one device fails, only that device is affected. 2. Devices can be added to or removed from network with little or no disruption.

3. Easy to troubleshoot and isolate problem.

Star Network Topology

Disadvantages: 1. If the hub or switch fails, the entire network will be inoperabled. 2. Requires more cable than most of the other topologies. 3. More expensive because of the cost of the hub/switch.

RING NETWORK TOPOLOGY

Ring Network Topology

On a ring network, a cable forms a closed loop (ring) with all computers and devices arranged along the ring.

Ring Network Topology

Data transmitted on a ring network travels from device to device around the entire ring, in one direction (clockwise or counterclockwise)

Token passing is one method for sending data around a ring

Each device takes a turn sending and receiving information through the use of a token.

Ring Network Topology

The token along with any data is sent from the first device to the second device which extracts the data addressed to it and adds any data it wishes to send.

Then second device passes the token and data to the third device, etc. until it comes back around to the first device again.
Only the device with the token is allowed to send data . All other devices must wait for the token to come to them.

Ring Network Topology

Ring Network Topology

Advantages:

1. The transmission of data is relatively simple as packets travel in one direction only. 2. Cable faults are easily located, making troubleshooting easier. 3. The uses of token passing enables all devices in a ring topology to share the network resources fairly.

Ring Network Topology

Disadvantages:
1. A failure in any cable or device breaks the loop and can take down the entire network.

2. Data packets must pass through every computer therefore, this makes it slower. 3. A ring network can span a larger distance than a bus network, but it is more difficult to install.

SUMMARY:
BUS NETWORK TOPOLOGY
DEFINITION A bus network consists of a single central cable (backbone), to which all computers and other devices connect. ADVANTAGES Inexpensive and easy to install. DISADVANTAGES There might be disruption when computer or other devices are added or removed. The break in the main cable(backbone) will prevent all systems from accessing the network. It is difficult to identify the problem if the entire network Shut down.

Other devices ca be attached or detached without disturbing the network.

Failure of one device usually does not affect the rest of the network.

SUMMARY:
STAR NETWORK TOPOLOGY
DEFINITION ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES If the hub or switch fails, the entire network will be inoperabled.

All the computers and other devices on the network connect to a central device, thus forming a star.

If one device fails, only that device is affected.

Devices can be added or removed from network with no disruption.

Requires more cables than most of the other topologies.

Easy to troubleshoot and isolate problem.

More expensive because of the cost of hub/switch.

SUMMARY:
RING NETWORK TOPOLOGY
DEFINITION ADVANTAGES Transmission of data is simple as packets travel in one direction only. DISADVANTAGES A failure in any cable or device breaks the loop and can take down entire network. Data packets must pass through every computer, thus make it slower.

On a ring network, a cable forms a closed loop (ring) with all computers and devices arranged along the ring.

Cabel faults are easily located, making troubleshooting easier.

All devices in ring topolgy share the network resources fairly.

More difficult to install than a bus network.

EXERCISE:
1) Which of the following statements describe about network topology correctly ? A. Devices attached or detached at any point on the network. B. The failure of device on the network. C. Refers to the configuration of cables, computers and other peripherals. D. All of the above.

EXERCISE:
2) On a __________, all of the computers and devices on the network connect to a central device. A. Bus network.

B. Ring network.
C. Star network.

D. All of above.

EXERCISE:
3) On a star network, the central device that provides a common connection point for nodes on the Network is called the ____________.

A. Hub.
B. Personal computer.

C. Printer.
D. File server.

EXERCISE:
4) On a bus network, if one node fails ________.
A. Only that node is affected. B. Only the nodes before that node are affected. C. D. Only the nodes after that node are affected. All the nodes are affected.

EXERCISE:
The transmission of data is relatively simple as packets travel in one direction only. 5) The statement above is correctly refer to the _________________. A. Bus network. B. Ring network. C. Star network. D. All of the above.