Types of Network Topology
The arrangement of a network that comprises nodes and connecting lines via sender and receiver is referred to as network topology. The various network topologies are:
Overview of Types of Network Topology
Network Topology represents a network arrangement consisting of several nodes, i.e. sender and receiver nodes, and the lines connecting them.
Types of Network Topology
Let us look at the type of Network Topologies available.
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1. Bus Topology
Bus topology is the kind of network topology where every node, i.e. every device on the network, is connected to a solo main cable line. Data is transmitted in a single route, from one point to the other. We cannot transmit data in both ways. When this topology has precisely two endpoints, it is known as Linear Bus Topology. It is mostly used for small networks.
Benefits of Bus Topology
- It is cost-effective.
- The Cable length required is the least in comparison to other topologies.
- The working of this topology is easy to understand.
- Expansion can be done easily by linking the cables together.
Drawbacks of Bus Topology
- If the main cable collapses, the complete network collapses.
- The network performance is at stake and reduces if there are numerous nodes and heavy network traffic.
- The main cable can only be so long. The length of the cable is limited.
- Bus Topology is not as fast as Ring Topology.
2. Ring Topology
Ring Topology is a topology type in which every computer is connected to another computer on each side. The last computer is connected to the first, thus forming a ring shape. This topology allows for each computer to have exactly two neighbouring computers.
In this topology, the main computer is known as the monitor station, which is responsible for all the operations. Data transmission amongst devices is done with the help of tokens. For transmitting data, the computer station has to hold the token. The token is released only when the transmission is complete, following which other computer stations can use the token to transmit data.
Data transmission is done in a sequential method, i.e. bit by bit. Therefore, data has to route its way through each node in the network to reach the destination node. We use repeaters in a Ring topology to prevent loss of data during transmission. These repeaters are especially helpful when the topology has a vast number of nodes, and the data is to reach the very last node in the network.
The data transmission is unidirectional in a Ring topology, but it can be created to be bidirectional by connecting each node with another set of connecting lines. This is known as Dual Ring Topology. Here, two ring networks are created, with the data in each flowing in opposite directions.
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- The network is not affected by numerous nodes or heavy traffic, as only the nodes possessing tokens can transfer data.
- Ring topology has cheap installation and expansion.
Drawbacks of Ring Topology
- It is a tedious task to troubleshoot in Ring topology.
- It is difficult to add or delete nodes, as it interrupts the network activity.
- If one computer crashes, the entire network activity is disrupted.
3. Star Topology
Star Topology is the kind of network topology in which all the nodes are connected via cables to a single node called a hub, which is the central node. The hub can be active or passive in nature. Active hubs contain repeaters, while passive hubs are considered non-intelligent nodes. Each node contains a reserved connection to the central node, which the central node acting as a repeater during data transmission.
Benefits of Star Topology
- Star topology boasts fast performance due to low network traffic.
- It is easy to upgrade the Hub as and when required.
- Setup can be done easily and can be easily modified as well.
- Star Topology is easy to troubleshoot.
- In case a node has failed, it can easily be replaced without affecting the working of the rest of the network.
Drawbacks of Star Topology
- The installation cost is extreme, and it is costly to use.
- All the nodes are dependent on the hub.
4. Mesh Topology
Mesh topology is the kind of topology in which all the nodes are connected with all the other nodes via a network channel. Mesh topology is a point-to-point connection. It hasn[n-1]/2network channels to connectnnodes.
Mesh topology has two techniques for transmission of data, i.e. routing and flooding. In the routing technique, the nodes possess a routing logic, like the logic for the shortest distance to the destination node or the logic to avoid routes with broken connections. In the flooding technique, all the network nodes receive the same data. This leaves us no need for routing logic. This technique makes the network robust but results in unwanted load on the network.
Benefits of Mesh Topology
- Every connection has the ability to carry its particular data load.
- Mesh Topology is very robust.
- It is easy to diagnose faults.
- Mesh Topology provides privacy and security.
Drawbacks of Mesh Topology
- Mesh Topology is challenging to install and configure.
- As all the nodes are connected with each other, cabling is costly.
- Bulk wiring is essential.
5. Tree Topology
Tree topology is the topology in which the nodes are connected hierarchically, with all the nodes connected to the topmost node or root node. Hence, it is also known as hierarchical topology. Tree topology has at least three levels of hierarchy.
Tree topology is applied in Wide Area Network. It is an extension of Bus topology and Star topology. It is best if the workstations are situated in groups, for easy working and managing.
Benefits of Tree Topology
- It is easy to expand the network with more nodes.
- It is easy to maintain and manage.
- It is easy to detect an error in the network.
Drawbacks of Tree Topology
- It is profoundly cabled.
- It is expensive when compared to other topologies.
- If the root node collapses, the network will also collapse.
6. Hybrid Topology
Hybrid Topology is basically a network topology comprising of two or more different types of topologies. It is a reliable and scalable topology, but simultaneously, it is a costly one. It receives the merits and demerits of the topologies used to build it.
Benefits of Hybrid Topology
- It is easy to troubleshoot and provides simple error-detecting techniques.
- It is a flexible network topology, making it quite effective.
- It is scalable since the size can be made greater easily.
Drawbacks of Hybrid Topology
- It isn’t very easy to design it.
- It is costly, as it involves more than one topologies.
Conclusion
We have seen the various network topologies available to us, along with their benefits and drawbacks. According to our requirements, it will now be easy for us to choose which network topology can be used.
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What is Topology?
Network topologies describe the methods in which all the elements of a network are mapped. The topology term refers to both the physical and logical layout of a network.
In this network topology tutorial, we will explain:
- What is Topology?
- Type of Network Topology
- Point to Point
- Bus Topology
- Ring Topology
- Star Topology
- Mesh Topology
- Tree Topology
- Hybrid Topology
- How to select a Network Topology?
Types of Network Topology
Network Topology is the schematic description of a network arrangement, connecting various nodes[sender and receiver] through lines of connection.
Types of Topology
There are five types of topology in computer networks:
1. Mesh Topology
2. Star Topology
3. Bus Topology
4. Ring Topology
5. Hybrid Topology
Types of Computer Network Topology
Priyanka Waghmare | Updated: Oct 1, 2021 16:30 IST
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A computer network is defined as a collection of computers connected that follow similar protocols and allow the computer to interact with another computer and share its resources, data, and applications.
A network topology defines the physical interconnection of its constituent elements. We can say that the topology of a network defines how the various nodes of the network are interconnected. Here the interconnection can be real or logical. The term Real implies physical or actual connection and logical interconnection refers to the way data is exchanged between the constituents.
With this article, we will learn the different types of network topology- Bus, Star, Mesh, Ring, Tree, and Hybrid, their orientation and uses.
Table of Contents
- Types of Network Topology
- Types of Computer Network Topology FAQs
Domain 4: Communication and Network Security [Designing and Protecting Network Security]
Eric Conrad, ... Joshua Feldman, in CISSP Study Guide [Third Edition], 2016
Star
Star topology has become the dominant physical topology for LANs. The star was first popularized by ARCNET, and later adopted by Ethernet. Each node is connected directly to a central device such as a hub or a switch, as shown in Figure 5.17.
Figure 5.17. Star Topology
Exam Warning
Remember that physical and logical topologies are related, but different. A logical ring can run via a physical ring, but there are exceptions. FDDI uses both a logical and physical ring, but Token Ring is a logical ring topology that runs on a physical star, for example. If you see the word “ring” on the exam, check the context to see if it is referring to physical ring, logical ring, or both.
Stars feature better fault tolerance: any single local cable cut or NIC failure affects one node only. Since each node is wired back to a central point, more cable is required as opposed to bus [where one cable run connects nodes to each other]. This cost disadvantage is usually outweighed by the fault tolerance advantages.
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