Week-4-Computer-Network-Topologies.pdf

Computer Network Topologies A Network Topology is the arrangement with which computer systems or network devices are connected to each other. Topologies may define both physical and logical aspect of the network. Both logical and physical topologies could be same or different in a same network. Poi...

Computer Network Topologies A Network Topology is the arrangement with which computer systems or network devices are connected to each other. Topologies may define both physical and logical aspect of the network. Both logical and physical topologies could be same or different in a same network. Point-to-Point Point-to-point networks contains exactly two hosts such as computer, switches or routers, servers connected back to back using a single piece of cable. Often, the receiving end of one host is connected to sending end of the other and vice-versa. If the hosts are connected point-to-point logically, then may have multiple intermediate devices. But the end hosts are unaware of underlying network and see each other as if they are connected directly. Bus Topology In case of Bus topology, all devices share single communication line or cable.Bus topology may have problem while multiple hosts sending data at the same time. Therefore, Bus topology either uses CSMA/CD technology or recognizes one host as Bus Master to solve the issue. It is one of the simple forms of networking where a failure of a device does not affect the other devices. But failure of the shared communication line can make all other devices stop functioning. Both ends of the shared channel have line terminator. The data is sent in only one direction and as soon as it reaches the extreme end, the terminator removes the data from the line. Computer Network Topologies Page 1 of 6 Star Topology All hosts in Star topology are connected to a central device, known as hub device, using a point-to-point connection. That is, there exists a point to point connection between hosts and hub. The hub device can be any of the following:  Layer-1 device such as hub or repeater  Layer-2 device such as switch or bridge  Layer-3 device such as router or gateway As in Bus topology, hub acts as single point of failure. If hub fails, connectivity of all hosts to all other hosts fails. Every communication between hosts, takes place through only the hub.Star topology is not expensive as to connect one more host, only one cable is required and configuration is simple. Ring Topology In ring topology, each host machine connects to exactly two other machines, creating a circular network structure. When one host tries to communicate or send message to a host which is not adjacent to it, the data travels through all intermediate hosts. To connect one more host in the existing structure, the administrator may need only one more extra cable. Computer Network Topologies Page 2 of 6 Failure of any host results in failure of the whole ring.Thus, every connection in the ring is a point of failure. There are methods which employ one more backup ring. Mesh Topology In this type of topology, a host is connected to one or multiple hosts.This topology has hosts in point-to-point connection with every other host or may also have hosts which are in point-to-point connection to few hosts only. Computer Network Topologies Page 3 of 6 Hosts in Mesh topology also work as relay for other hosts which do not have direct point-to-point links. Mesh technology comes into two types:  Full Mesh: All hosts have a point-to-point connection to every other host in the network. Thus for every new host n(n-1)/2 connections are required. It provides the most reliable network structure among all network topologies.  Partially Mesh: Not all hosts have point-to-point connection to every other host. Hosts connect to each other in some arbitrarily fashion. This topology exists where we need to provide reliability to some hosts out of all. Tree Topology Also known as Hierarchical Topology, this is the most common form of network topology in use presently.This topology imitates as extended Star topology and inherits properties of bus topology. This topology divides the network in to multiple levels/layers of network. Mainly in LANs, a network is bifurcated into three types of network devices. The lowermost is access-layer where computers are attached. The middle layer is known as distribution layer, which works as mediator between upper layer and lower layer. The highest layer is known as core layer, and is central point of the network, i.e. root of the tree from which all nodes fork. All neighboring hosts have point-to-point connection between them.Similar to the Bus topology, if the root goes down, then the entire network suffers even.though it is not the single point of failure. Every connection serves as point of failure, failing of which divides the network into unreachable segment. Daisy Chain This topology connects all the hosts in a linear fashion. Similar to Ring topology, all hosts are connected to two hosts only, except the end hosts.Means, if the end hosts in daisy chain are connected then it represents Ring topology. Computer Network Topologies Page 4 of 6 Each link in daisy chain topology represents single point of failure. Every link failure splits the network into two segments.Every intermediate host works as relay for its immediate hosts. Hybrid Topology A network structure whose design contains more than one topology is said to be hybrid topology. Hybrid topology inherits merits and demerits of all the incorporating topologies. The above picture represents an arbitrarily hybrid topology. The combining topologies may contain attributes of Star, Ring, Bus, and Daisy-chain topologies. Most WANs are connected by means of Dual-Ring topology and networks connected to them are mostly Star topology networks. Internet is the best example of largest Hybrid topology Computer Network Topologies Page 5 of 6 Summary of Topologies: Topology Structure Advantages Disadvantages All devices connected to Single point of failure, limited Bus Easy to implement, less cable a single cable scalability Devices connected to a Easy to manage, failure of one Hub failure brings down the Star central hub device doesn’t affect others network, more cable Devices connected in a Equal access, predictable Network failure if one Ring loop performance device/cable fails Each device connected to Mesh High reliability, redundancy Expensive, complex every other Star-configured groups Depends on the backbone, Tree Hierarchical, scalable connected to a bus more complex Combination of two or Hybrid Flexible, can be customized Complex, costly more topologies Direct link between two Point-to-Point Simple, high-speed connection Not scalable devices Point-to- One node connected to Central node may become a Efficient broadcasting Multipoint many others bottleneck Choosing a topology depends on the size, requirements, and goals of the network. For example, star and mesh topologies are popular in modern networks due to their reliability and fault tolerance, while bus and ring are used less frequently today. Hybrid topologies are often employed in larger, more complex networks to combine the best features of different designs. References https://www.tutorialspoint.com/data_communication_computer_network/computer_network_topologies.htm Computer Network Topologies Page 6 of 6