Network Topology

A network topology is the pattern of links connecting pairs of nodes of a network. So It is a physical layout of the network’s computers, terminals, and links. The different network topologies are:

Ring: A ring network is a topology of computer networks where each node is connected to two other nodes, so as to create a ring.

Disadvantage:

·        if one of the nodes in the network breaks down then the entire network will break down with it as it requires a full circle in order to function

·        Inefficient when compared to Star networks because data must travel through more points before reaching its destination.

·        Communication delay is the directly proportional to number of node.

Bus: A bus network is a network architecture in which a set of clients are connected via a shared communications line, called a bus. Bus networks are the simplest way to connect multiple clients, but often have problems when two clients want to transmit at the same time on the same bus.

Advantages

• Easy to implement and extend
• Well suited for temporary networks (quick setup)
• Typically the cheapest topology to implement

Disadvantages

• Difficult to administer/troubleshoot
• Limited cable length and number of stations
• A cable break can disable the entire network
• Maintenance costs may be higher in the long run
• Low security

Star: Star networks are one of the most common computer network topologies. In its simplest form, a star network consists of one central switch, or hub computer which

acts as a router to transmit messages.

Advantages

• Easy to implement and extend, even in large networks
• Well suited for temporary networks (quick setup)
• The failure of a non-central node will not have major effects on the functionality of the network.
• No problems with collisions of Data
• Security can be implemented in the hub/switch.

Disadvantages

• Failure of the central node can disable the entire network
• Limited cable length and number of stations
• Maintenance costs may be higher in the long run

Mesh: All computers are connected to each other so it is sometimes called completely connected networks. The number of links on networks are determined by: n(n-1)/2.

Advantages:

·        Reliable: any line breakdown will affect only communication between the connected computers

·        Each node of the network need not have individual routing capacity.

·        Communication is very fast between any two nodes.

Hybrid: Mixture of more than two of star, ring, bus, mesh, tree etc topology is known as hybrid topology.