What is topology ?
- Network Topology is the arrangement of the various elements (links, nodes etc.) of a computer network. Essentially, it is the topological structure of a network and may e depicted physically or logically.
Topologies are divided into two types. one is called physical topology and another one is logical topology.
Physical Topology is the placement of the various components of a network, including device location and cable installation, while logical topology illustrates how data flows within a network, regardless of its physical design.
There are number of reasons to understand network topology.
- The network topology impacts performance
- The network topology is a factor in determining the media type used to cable the network.
- Knowledge of network layout helps to optimize the network performance and troubleshoot network performance issues.
Topology Cable type
Linear bus Thin coaxial, Thick coaxial
Star Bus UTP(Unshielded Twisted Pair)
Ring STP(Shielded Twisted Pair), UTP
Types of topologies-
BUS topology - BUS topology is a network where all the nodes are connected with each other with a single common cable. when one node wants to access another node on the network then it puts a message addressed to that device on the bus network.
Advantage of BUS topology-
- It is very easy two connect a node or peripheral in this network.
- Bus network requires less cable length than any other topologies.
Disadvantage of BUS topology-
-As the total network is depended on a single cable so if any problem occurs in the main cable , the entire network shuts down.
RING topology - When each device is serially connected in a closed ring pattern with a single cable then the network system is called ring topology. As a train crosses all the platforms to reach its destination, ring topology does the same to pass a message from one node to another node.
Advantage of RING topology-
-The network does not do anything without order. It needs to access the token and the opportunity to transmit.
- In this network each and every node has equal access to resources.
- The performance does not get interrupted by any additional components.
Disadvantage of RING topology-
- In this ring network if any node breaks down then the entire network system stops working.
- The entire network could be affected by moving, adding and changing of devices.
STAR topology - In this configuration all nodes are connected to a central hub with separated cables. Here the central node or hub acts like a main server and the other nodes which are connected to the central node ,act like client devices.
Advantage of STAR topology-
- In this type of network it is very easy to add or remove a node to network system.
- Here if any fault occurs it is very easy to find and fix it up.
- If anyone node faces problem ,the rest node performs smoothly without effecting the whole network.
Disadvantage of STAR topology-
-It is more expensive than any other topologies to build up the network because it requires excessive length of cable.
-The entire network goes down if the central node does not work properly.
MESH topology - Here each and every networks is interconnected with each other. it works independently.
Advantage of MESH topology-
- Adding or removing nodes in this network could be done easily without interrupting the other nodes and the network.
- Here the transmission of data is very easy because it transfers data from different nodes simultaneously.
- Transfer of data does not get affected by any peripherals because if one node fails there is always an alternative one.
Disadvantage of MESH topology-
- It is very hard to configure the network and also very difficult to maintain.
TREE topology - A tree topology looks like the branches of the tree where each and every nodes are connected with its parent node. it also called by the name star + bus topology .
Advantage of TREE topology-
- Here finding out any fault is very easy and not too hard to maintain.
- It is very easy to extend the network as much as administrator wants.
Disadvantage of TREE topology-
- The network requires high maintenance.
- A lot of cable requires to establish a network system
HYBRID topology - Hybrid topology is the combination of two or more different network topologies. This network is mixture of both peer to peer and client server network.it can be either wired or wireless.
Advantage of HYBRID topology-
- Here in this network troubleshooting is far better than any other topologies. very easy to expand.
Disadvantage of HYBRID topology-
- The structure of the network is very hard to understand. it is very expensive and multi station unit is required
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