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 Network Topology

Physical Topology

• Bus Topology: A single cable connects all devices in a linear sequence.
• Star Topology: Devices connect to a central hub or switch.
• Ring Topology: Devices connect in a circular configuration.
• Mesh Topology: Each device connects to every other device.
• Tree Topology: Combination of bus and star topologies.

Logical Topology

• Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Topology: Devices act as both clients and servers.
• Client-Server Topology: Devices act as either clients or servers.

Key Characteristics

• Scalability: Ability to add or remove devices without affecting the network.
• Fault Tolerance: Ability of the network to continue functioning when a device fails.
• Cost: Physical infrastructure and maintenance costs.
• Security: Vulnerability to unauthorized access or data breaches.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Bus Topology

Advantages: Simple, inexpensive. Disadvantages: Single point of failure, difficult to troubleshoot.

Star Topology

Advantages: Easy to install, troubleshoot, and maintain. Disadvantages: Central hub failure affects entire network.

Ring Topology

Advantages: Provides high-speed data transfer, fault-tolerant. Disadvantages: Difficult to install, troubleshoot, and maintain.

Mesh Topology

Advantages: Most reliable, provides redundant connections. Disadvantages: High installation cost, complex to manage.

Tree Topology

Advantages: Combines benefits of bus and star topologies. Disadvantages: Difficult to install, troubleshoot, and maintain.

Network Topology

Definition

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

Types of Network Topology

Physical Topology

• Bus Topology: a single cable connects all devices in a linear sequence.
• Star Topology: devices connect to a central hub or switch.
• Ring Topology: devices connect in a circular configuration.
• Mesh Topology: each device connects to every other device.
• Tree Topology: a combination of bus and star topologies.

Logical Topology

• Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Topology: devices act as both clients and servers.
• Client-Server Topology: devices act as either clients or servers.

Key Characteristics

• Scalability: the ability to add or remove devices without affecting the network.
• Fault Tolerance: the ability of the network to continue functioning when a device fails.
• Cost: physical infrastructure and maintenance costs.
• Security: vulnerability to unauthorized access or data breaches.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Topologies

Bus Topology

• Advantages: simple, inexpensive.
• Disadvantages: single point of failure, difficult to troubleshoot.

Star Topology

• Advantages: easy to install, troubleshoot, and maintain.
• Disadvantages: central hub failure affects entire network.

Ring Topology

• Advantages: provides high-speed data transfer, fault-tolerant.
• Disadvantages: difficult to install, troubleshoot, and maintain.

Mesh Topology

• Advantages: most reliable, provides redundant connections.
• Disadvantages: high installation cost, complex to manage.

Tree Topology

• Advantages: combines benefits of bus and star topologies.
• Disadvantages: difficult to install, troubleshoot, and maintain.

Learn about the different types of network topology including bus, star, ring, mesh, and tree topologies. Understand the physical and logical arrangement of devices and connections in a computer network.