Information Sheet on Determine Best-Fit Topology
Network topology
What is a Topology?
The term Topology, or more specifically, network topology, refers to the arrangement or
physical layout of computers, cables, and other components on the network. "Topology" is the
standard term that most network professionals use when they refer to the network's basic
design. In addition to the term "topology," you will find several other terms that are used to
define a network's design:
Physical layout
Design
Diagram
Map
A network's topology affects its capabilities. The choice of one topology over another will have
an impact on the:
Type of equipment that the network needs
Capabilities of the network
Growth of the network
Way the network is managed
Two Types of LAN Topologies
Physical topology
It is the physical layout of the components on the network.
Logical topology
It determines how the hosts access the medium to communicate across the network
LAN Physical Topologies
A physical topology defines the way in which computers, printers, and other devices are
connected to a network.
• Bus
• Ring
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Information Sheet on Determine Best-Fit Topology
• Star
• Hierarchical Star/Extended Star
• Mesh
Bus Topology
The bus topology is often referred to as a "linear bus" because the computers are connected in
a straight line. This is the simplest and most common method of networking computers. It
consists of a single cable called a trunk (also called a backbone or segment) that connects all of
the computers in the network in a single line.
Bus topology
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Information Sheet on Determine Best-Fit Topology
Computers on a bus topology network communicate by addressing data to a particular
computer and sending out that data on the cable as electronic signals. To understand how
computers communicate on a bus, you need to be familiar with three concepts:
Sending the signal
Signal bounce
Terminator
Sending the signal
When sending a signal from one computer on the network to another, network data in the
form of electronic signals is in fact sent to all the computers on the network. However, only the
computer whose address matches the address encoded in the original signal accepts the
information. All other computers reject the data. Because only one computer at a time can
send data on a bus network, the number of computers attached to the bus will affect network
performance. The more computers there are on a bus, the more computers will be waiting to
put data on the bus and, consequently, the slower the network will be. Computers on a bus
either transmit data to other computers on the network or listen for data from other
computers on the network. They are not responsible for moving data from one computer to the
next. Consequently, if one computer fails, it does not affect the rest of the network.
Signal bounce
Because the data, or electronic signal, is sent to the entire network, it travels from one end of
the cable to the other. If the signal is allowed to continue uninterrupted, it will keep bouncing
back and forth along the cable and prevent other computers from sending signals. Therefore,
the signal must be stopped after it has had a chance to reach the proper destination address.
Terminator
To stop the signal from bouncing, a component called a terminator is placed at each end of the
cable to absorb free signals. Absorbing the signal clears the cable so that other computers can
send data.
In a bus topology, if a break in the cable occurs the two ends of the cable at the break will not
have terminators, so the signal will bounce, and all network activity will stop. This is one of
several possible reasons why a network will go "down."
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Ring topology
The ring topology connects computers on a single circle of cable. Unlike the bus topology, there
are no terminated ends. The signals travel around the loop in one direction and pass through
each computer, which can act as a repeater to boost the signal and send it on to the next
computer. The failure of one computer can have an impact on the entire network.
Ring topology
Token passing
One method of transmitting data around a ring is called token passing. (A token is a special
series of bits that travels around a token-ring network. Each network has only one token.) The
token is passed from computer to computer until it gets to a computer that has data to send.
The sending computer modifies the token, puts an electronic address on the data, and sends it
around the ring.
The data passes by each computer until it finds the one with an address that matches the
address on the data.
The receiving computer returns a message to the sending computer indicating that the data has
been received. After verification, the sending computer creates a new token and releases it on
the network. The token circulates within the ring until a workstation needs it to send data.
The token ring avoids a common problem with bus topologies. If there are many computers on
the network a bus will often be busy, seriously affecting network performance. However, with a
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Information Sheet on Determine Best-Fit Topology
token ring the network is never busy – each computer must simply wait for the token to arrive
and add its message.
Star topology
A star topology is designed with each node (file server, workstations, and peripherals)
connected directly to a central network hub, Switch or router.
Data on a star network passes through the hub before continuing to its destination.
Star topology
Hierarchical or Extended Star Topology
A star network with an additional networking device connected to the main networking device
to increase the size of the network. Used for larger networks
Hierarchical or Extended Star Topology
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Mesh Topology
A mesh topology network offers superior redundancy and reliability.
In a mesh topology, each computer is connected to every other computer by separate cabling.
This configuration provides redundant paths throughout the network so that if one cable fails,
another will take over the traffic.
While ease of troubleshooting and increased reliability is definite things, these networks are
expensive to install because they use a lot of cabling.
Mesh topology
Hybrid topologies
Star Bus
The star bus is a combination of the bus and star topologies. In a star-bus topology, several star
topology networks are linked together with linear bus trunks.
If one computer goes down, it will not affect the rest of the network. The other computers can
continue to communicate. If a hub goes down, all computers on that hub are unable to
communicate. If a hub is linked to other hubs, those connections will be broken as well.
Star bus hybrid topology
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Star Ring Topology
The star ring (sometimes called a star-wired ring) appears similar to the star bus. Both the star
ring and the star bus are centered in a hub that contains the actual ring or bus.
Linear-bus trunks connect the hubs in a star bus, while the hubs in a star ring are connected in a
star pattern by the main hub.
Star ring topology
Tree Topology
A tree topology combines characteristics of linear bus and star topologies. It consists of groups
of star-configured workstations connected to a linear bus backbone cable.
Tree topologies allow for the expansion of an existing network, and enable organizations to
configure a network to meet their needs.
Tree topology
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Information Sheet on Determine Best-Fit Topology
Topology Advantages Disadvantages
Bus Use of cable is economical. Network can slow down in
Media is inexpensive and easy to work heavy traffic.
with. Problems are difficult to
System is simple and reliable. isolate.
Easy to extend. Cable break can affect many
users.
Ring System provides equal access for all Failure of one computer can
computers. impact the rest of the
network.
Problems are hard to isolate.
Star Modifying system and adding new If the centralized point fails,
computers is easy. the network fails.
Centralized monitoring and
management are possible.
Failure of one computer does not affect
the rest of the network.
Mesh System provides increased redundancy System is expensive to install
and reliability as well as ease of because it uses a lot of
troubleshooting. cabling.
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