NETWORK

TOPOLOGY
What is Network Topology?

◦ Topology defines the structure of the network of how all the components are interconnected to each
other. There are two types of topology: physical and logical topology
Types of Network Topology
Physical topology is the geometric representation of all the nodes in a network. There are six types of
network topology which are Bus Topology, Ring Topology, Tree Topology, Star Topology, Mesh Topology,
and Hybrid Topology.
 Bus Topology

• The bus topology is designed in such a way that all the stations are connected through a single cable known as
a backbone cable.
• Each node is either connected to the backbone cable by drop cable or directly connected to the backbone cable.
• When a node wants to send a message over the network, it puts a message over the network. All the stations
available in the network will receive the message whether it has been addressed or not.
• The configuration of a bus topology is quite simpler as compared to other topologies.
• The backbone cable is considered as a "single lane" through which the message is broadcast to all the stations.
• The most common access method of the bus topologies is CSMA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access).
◦ CSMA: It is a media access control used to control the data flow so that data integrity is maintained, i.e., the
packets do not get lost. There are two alternative ways of handling the problems that occur when two nodes
send the messages simultaneously.
Advantages of Bus topology:

• Low-cost cable: In bus topology, nodes are directly connected to the cable without passing through a
hub. Therefore, the initial cost of installation is low.
• Moderate data speeds: Coaxial or twisted pair cables are mainly used in bus-based networks that
support upto 10 Mbps.
• Familiar technology: Bus topology is a familiar technology as the installation and troubleshooting
techniques are well known, and hardware components are easily available.
• Limited failure: A failure in one node will not have any effect on other nodes.
Disadvantages of Bus topology:

• Extensive cabling: A bus topology is quite simpler, but still it requires a lot of cabling.
• Difficult troubleshooting: It requires specialized test equipment to determine the cable faults. If any
fault occurs in the cable, then it would disrupt the communication for all the nodes.
• Signal interference: If two nodes send the messages simultaneously, then the signals of both the nodes
collide with each other.
• Reconfiguration difficult: Adding new devices to the network would slow down the network.
• Attenuation: Attenuation is a loss of signal leads to communication issues. Repeaters are used to
regenerate the signal.
Star Topology

• Star topology is an arrangement of the network in which every node is connected to the central hub,
switch or a central computer.
• The central computer is known as a server, and the peripheral devices attached to the server are known
as clients.
• Coaxial cable or RJ-45 cables are used to connect the computers.
• Hubs or Switches are mainly used as connection devices in a physical star topology.
• Star topology is the most popular topology in network implementation.
Advantages of Star topology

• Efficient troubleshooting: Troubleshooting is quite efficient in a star topology as compared to bus topology. In a
bus topology, the manager has to inspect the kilometers of cable. In a star topology, all the stations are connected
to the centralized network. Therefore, the network administrator has to go to the single station to troubleshoot the
problem.
• Network control: Complex network control features can be easily implemented in the star topology. Any
changes made in the star topology are automatically accommodated.
• Limited failure: As each station is connected to the central hub with its own cable, therefore failure in one cable
will not affect the entire network.
• Familiar technology: Star topology is a familiar technology as its tools are cost-effective.
• Easily expandable: It is easily expandable as new stations can be added to the open ports on the hub.
• Cost effective: Star topology networks are cost-effective as it uses inexpensive coaxial cable.
• High data speeds: It supports a bandwidth of approx 100Mbps. Ethernet 100BaseT is one of the most popular
Star topology networks
Disadvantages of Star topology

• A Central point of failure: If the central hub or switch goes down, then all the connected nodes will not
be able to communicate with each other.
• Cable: Sometimes cable routing becomes difficult when a significant amount of routing is required.
Tree topology

• Tree topology combines the characteristics of bus topology and star topology.
• A tree topology is a type of structure in which all the computers are connected with each other in
hierarchical fashion.
• The top-most node in tree topology is known as a root node, and all other nodes are the descendants of
the root node.
• There is only one path exists between two nodes for the data transmission. Thus, it forms a parent-child
hierarchy
Advantages of Tree topology

• Support for broadband transmission: Tree topology is mainly used to provide broadband transmission,
i.e., signals are sent over long distances without being attenuated.
• Easily expandable: We can add the new device to the existing network. Therefore, we can say that tree
topology is easily expandable.
• Easily manageable: In tree topology, the whole network is divided into segments known as star
networks which can be easily managed and maintained.
• Error detection: Error detection and error correction are very easy in a tree topology.
• Limited failure: The breakdown in one station does not affect the entire network.
• Point-to-point wiring: It has point-to-point wiring for individual segments.
Disadvantages of Tree topology

• Difficult troubleshooting: If any fault occurs in the node, then it becomes difficult to troubleshoot the
problem.
• High cost: Devices required for broadband transmission are very costly.
• Failure: A tree topology mainly relies on main bus cable and failure in main bus cable will damage the
overall network.
• Reconfiguration difficult: If new devices are added, then it becomes difficult to reconfigure.