Network Topology Types

Network Topology

Definition: Network topology refers to the physical and logical arrangement of devices and connections within a computer network.

Types of Topology:

Physical Topology:

• Bus Topology: A single cable connects all devices in a linear sequence.
• Star Topology: A central device connects to multiple devices using separate cables.
• Ring Topology: Devices connect in a circular configuration, and data travels in one direction.
• Mesh Topology: Each device connects to every other device using separate cables.
• Hybrid Topology: Combines two or more different topologies.

Logical Topology:

• Broadcast Topology: Data is transmitted to all devices on the network.
• Point-to-Point Topology: Data is transmitted between two devices.
• Point-to-MultiPoint Topology: Data is transmitted from one device to multiple devices.

Characteristics:

• Scalability: The ability of a network to add or remove devices without affecting the entire network.
• Fault Tolerance: The ability of a network to continue functioning even when one or more devices fail.
• Cost: The cost of implementing and maintaining a network topology.
• Security: The level of security provided by a network topology.

Advantages and Disadvantages:

• Bus Topology:
  • Advantages: Simple to install, requires less cable
  • Disadvantages: Failure of the backbone cable affects the entire network
• Star Topology:
  • Advantages: Easy to install and manage, faults are isolated
  • Disadvantages: Central device failure affects the entire network
• Ring Topology:
  • Advantages: Provides high-speed data transfer, fault tolerance
  • Disadvantages: Difficult to install and maintain, failure of one device affects the entire network
• Mesh Topology:
  • Advantages: Provides maximum fault tolerance, high-speed data transfer
  • Disadvantages: Complex to install and maintain, expensive

Real-World Applications:

• Local Area Networks (LANs): Star and bus topologies are commonly used in LANs.
• Wide Area Networks (WANs): Mesh and ring topologies are commonly used in WANs.
• ** Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs):** Ring and bus topologies are commonly used in MANs.

Network Topology

• Network topology refers to the physical and logical arrangement of devices and connections within a computer network.

Types of Topology

Physical Topology

• Bus Topology: A single cable connects all devices in a linear sequence.
• Star Topology: A central device connects to multiple devices using separate cables.
• Ring Topology: Devices connect in a circular configuration, and data travels in one direction.
• Mesh Topology: Each device connects to every other device using separate cables.
• Hybrid Topology: Combines two or more different topologies.

Logical Topology

• Broadcast Topology: Data is transmitted to all devices on the network.
• Point-to-Point Topology: Data is transmitted between two devices.
• Point-to-MultiPoint Topology: Data is transmitted from one device to multiple devices.

Characteristics

• Scalability: Ability of a network to add or remove devices without affecting the entire network.
• Fault Tolerance: Ability of a network to continue functioning even when one or more devices fail.
• Cost: Cost of implementing and maintaining a network topology.
• Security: Level of security provided by a network topology.

Advantages and Disadvantages

• Bus Topology: • Advantages: Simple to install, requires less cable • Disadvantages: Failure of the backbone cable affects the entire network
• Star Topology: • Advantages: Easy to install and manage, faults are isolated • Disadvantages: Central device failure affects the entire network
• Ring Topology: • Advantages: Provides high-speed data transfer, fault tolerance • Disadvantages: Difficult to install and maintain, failure of one device affects the entire network
• Mesh Topology: • Advantages: Provides maximum fault tolerance, high-speed data transfer • Disadvantages: Complex to install and maintain, expensive

Real-World Applications

• Local Area Networks (LANs): Star and bus topologies are commonly used in LANs.
• Wide Area Networks (WANs): Mesh and ring topologies are commonly used in WANs.
• Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs): Ring and bus topologies are commonly used in MANs.