Network Topologies Overview

Study Notes

Topology is the explanation of how a network with various devices communicates.
There are two main categories of topologies: wired and wireless.
Wired topologies include star, ring, bus, mesh, and tree.
Star topology: All computers are connected to a central point, such as a hub or a switch. All traffic goes through this central point before reaching its destination.
Advantage: If a computer fails or the cable is broken, other computers are not affected.
Disadvantage: If the central hub or switch fails, all computers connected to it are affected.
Ring topology: Each computer is connected to two other computers in a closed loop or ring. Each data packet moves around the ring until it reaches its destination.
Advantage: Easy to install and troubleshoot.
Disadvantage: If one computer fails or there's a cable break, all data flow is disrupted.
Bus topology: An old technology where all devices and network equipment are connected to a single cable or backbone.
Advantage: Inexpensive and easy to implement.
Disadvantage: Requires termination at both ends to function. A removed device or a lost terminator will cause the cable to be open and data flow to stop, which is known as terminator failure or singleton fault.
Mesh topology: Each device in the network is connected to every other device in the network.
Advantage: High fault tolerance since devices can communicate with each other even if some connections are down.
Disadvantage: Expensive due to the large number of connections and network diagrams required.
Wireless topologies include infrastructure and Ad hoc.
Infrastructure topology: A combination of wired and wireless devices.
Advantage: Draadless devices can connect to the network via a wireless access point that is connected to a wired network.
Draadlose toegangspunte kan verskeie wees, afhanklik van die netwerkse behoeftes.
Ad hoc topology: A simple wireless topology that does not rely on any infrastructure such as cables, routers, or wireless access points.
Advantage: Easy to set up a wireless network without the need for an existing wireless network.
Disadvantage: No central control and no security or permissions.
Wireless mesh topology: Similar to wired mesh topology, where devices communicate wirelessly with each other.
Advantage: Provides a seamless internet connection for wireless devices through multiple wireless connections.
Disadvantage: Requires more planning and infrastructure than other wireless topologies due to the larger number of devices and wireless connections required.

Description

Learn about different network topologies such as star, ring, bus, mesh, wireless infrastructure, ad hoc, and wireless mesh. Understand the advantages and disadvantages of each topology in terms of fault tolerance, cost, ease of installation, and network disruption.