Network Topology

Definition: Topology defines the structure of the network of how all the components are interconnected to
each other. A network topology is the physical and logical arrangement of nodes and connections in a network.
Nodes usually include devices such as switches, routers and software with switch and router features. Network
topologies are often represented as a graph. Logical network topologies define how a network is set up,
including which nodes connect and how, as well as the pattern of data transfers.

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.

Diagram: Network Topology

1) 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.

Advantages of Bus topology:

o 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.
o Moderate data speeds: Coaxial or twisted pair cables are mainly used in bus-based networks that
support upto 10 Mbps.
o Familiar technology: Bus topology is a familiar technology as the installation and troubleshooting
techniques are well known, and hardware components are easily available.
o Limited failure: A failure in one node will not have any effect on other nodes.

Disadvantages of Bus topology:

o Extensive cabling: A bus topology is quite simpler, but still it requires a lot of cabling.
o 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.
o Signal interference: If two nodes send the messages simultaneously, then the signals of both the nodes
collide with each other.
o Reconfiguration difficult: Adding new devices to the network would slow down the network.
o Attenuation: Attenuation is a loss of signal leads to communication issues. Repeaters are used to
regenerate the signal.
2) Ring Topology

 Ring topology is like a bus topology, but with connected ends.

 The node that receives the message from the previous computer will retransmit to the next node.
 The data flows in one direction, i.e., it is unidirectional.
 The data flows in a single loop continuously known as an endless loop.
 It has no terminated ends, i.e., each node is connected to other node and having no termination
point.
 The data in a ring topology flow in a clockwise direction.
 The most common access method of the ring topology is token passing.

o Token passing: It is a network access method in which token is passed from one node to another
node.
o Token: It is a frame that circulates around the network.

Advantages of Ring topology:

o Network Management: Faulty devices can be removed from the network without bringing the network
down.
o Product availability: Many hardware and software tools for network operation and monitoring are
available.
o Cost: Twisted pair cabling is inexpensive and easily available. Therefore, the installation cost is very low.
o Reliable: It is a more reliable network because the communication system is not dependent on the single
host computer.

Disadvantages of Ring topology:

o 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.
o Failure: The breakdown in one station leads to the failure of the overall network.
o Reconfiguration difficult: Adding new devices to the network would slow down the network.
o Delay: Communication delay is directly proportional to the number of nodes. Adding new devices
increases the communication delay.
3) 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 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

o Efficient troubleshooting: Troubleshooting is quite efficient in a star topology as compared to bus
[Link] 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.
o Network control: Complex network control features can be easily implemented in the star topology. Any
changes made in the star topology are automatically accommodated.
o 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.
o Familiar technology: Star topology is a familiar technology as its tools are cost-effective.
o Easily expandable: It is easily expandable as new stations can be added to the open ports on the hub.
o Cost effective: Star topology networks are cost-effective as it uses inexpensive coaxial cable.
o High data speeds: It supports a bandwidth of approx 100Mbps.

Disadvantages of Star topology

o 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.
o Cable: Sometimes cable routing becomes difficult when a significant amount of routing is required.
4) 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

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

Disadvantages of Tree topology

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

 Mesh technology is an arrangement of the network in which computers are interconnected with each
other through various redundant connections.
 There are multiple paths from one computer to another computer.
 It does not contain the switch, hub or any central computer which acts as a central point of
communication.
 The Internet is an example of the mesh topology.
 Mesh topology is mainly used for WAN implementations where communication failures are a critical
concern.
 Mesh topology is mainly used for wireless networks.

Advantages of Mesh topology:

o Reliable: The mesh topology networks are very reliable as if any link breakdown will not affect the
communication between connected computers.
o Fast Communication: Communication is very fast between the nodes.
o Easier Reconfiguration: Adding new devices would not disrupt the communication between other
devices.

Disadvantages of Mesh topology

o Cost: A mesh topology contains a large number of connected devices such as a router and more
transmission media than other topologies.
o Management: Mesh topology networks are very large and very difficult to maintain and manage. If the
network is not monitored carefully, then the communication link failure goes undetected.
o Efficiency: In this topology, redundant connections are high that reduces the efficiency of the network.
6) Hybrid Topology

 The combination of various different topologies is known as Hybrid topology.

 A Hybrid topology is a connection between different links and nodes to transfer the data.
 When two or more different topologies are combined together is termed as Hybrid topology and if
similar topologies are connected with each other will not result in Hybrid topology.

Advantages of Hybrid Topology

o Reliable: If a fault occurs in any part of the network will not affect the functioning of the rest of the
network.
o Scalable: Size of the network can be easily expanded by adding new devices without affecting the
functionality of the existing network.
o Flexible: This topology is very flexible as it can be designed according to the requirements of the
organization.
o Effective: Hybrid topology is very effective as it can be designed in such a way that the strength of the
network is maximized and weakness of the network is minimized.

Disadvantages of Hybrid topology

o Complex design: The major drawback of the Hybrid topology is the design of the Hybrid network. It is
very difficult to design the architecture of the Hybrid network.
o Costly Hub: The Hubs used in the Hybrid topology are very expensive as these hubs are different from
usual Hubs used in other topologies.
o Costly infrastructure: The infrastructure cost is very high as a hybrid network requires a lot of cabling,
network devices, etc.