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LESSON 6:
NETWORK TOPOLOGY
Lesson Objectives
Introduction to Topology
Major Types of Topologies:
Physical & logical topology
Physical Topologiesi
Point-to-Point Topologyii.
Multipoint Topologyiii.
Star Topologyiv.
Ring Topologyv.
Bus Topologyvi.
Hybrid Topology
Introduction to Topology
The word topology is commonly used to discuss the properties
of various types of networks. Topology is the branch of
mathematics that examines the characteristics of geometric
shapes. Networks have shapes, and the shape a network takes
has much to do with the way it functions.
Two different definitions of topology are as follows: physical and
logical. You encounter the distinction between physical and logical
frequently in networking. The distinction is necessary because the
way something looks can be quite different from the way it
functions.
A motion picture may look like a natural moving scene, but it
actually consists of many snapshots flashed on the screen so quickly
that your eye interprets the individual pictures as moving. The
logical, moving picture is much different from the physical reality.
So it is with computer networks. Your eye may tell you one thing
as you examine the cabling, but the network may operate very
differently at the invisible level of electrical signals in the wire.
Major Types of Topologies
NOTE: The following rule of thumb distinguishes physical from
logical:
If you can see it and touch it, it is physical.
If you cannot see it or touch it, it is logical.
The physical topology of a network is the layout or actual
appearance of the cabling scheme used on a network.
The logical topology of a network describes how the data flows
through the physical topology. You soon discover that similar-
looking networks can have quite different logical topologies.
A networks logical topology is closely related to the mechanism
used to manage the way stations access the network. Because a
given cable in a baseband network services only one station at a
time, it is necessary to have procedures in place that manage
network access so that all stations have access without conflicting
with each other. These procedures are called access control methods.
1. Physical Topologies
All physical topologies are variations of two fundamental
methods of connecting devices: point-to-point and multipoint.
After examining these two fundamental topologies, several
variations are examined.
1. Point-to-Point Topology
Point-to-point (PTP) topology connects two nodes directly together.
The following examples are pure point-to-point links:
Two computers communicating via modems
A mainframe terminal communicating with a front-end
processor
A workstation communicating along a parallel cable to a printer.
In a point-to-point link, two devices monopolize a communication
medium. Because the medium is not shared, a mechanism is
not needed to identify the computers. Therefore, a simple,
two-device point-to-point network has no need for addressing.
Point-to-point links can be simplex, half-duplex, or full-duplex.
When devices must engage in bi-directional communication
on a half-duplex link, some turnaround mechanisms must be
in place to switch the roles of the sending and receiving devices.
2. Multipoint Topology
Multipoint topologies link three or more devices together
through a single communication medium. Multipoint
topologies work much like a party-line telephone service where
several subscribers are connected to the same telephone line.
Because multipoint topologies share a common channel, each device
needs a way to identify itself and the device to which it wants to
send information. The method used to identify senders and
receivers is called addressing.
The following four types of physical topologies are frequently
used in computer networking:
Star
Bus
Ring
Hybrid
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3. Star Topology
The star topology is a popular method of connecting the cabling
in a computer network. In a star, each device connects to a
central point via a point-to-point link. Depending on the logical
architecture used, several names are used for the central point
including the following:
Hub
Multipoint Repeater
Concentrator
Multi-Access Unit (MAU)
The central hubs also can be classified in the following
manner:
Passivehub- A passive hub is a simple signal splitter. Its main
function is to connect the arms of the star while maintaining
the proper electrical characteristics.
A passive hub routes all traffic to all nodes. This means that a
tremendous load can be created when much communication
takes place between computers. Every computer has the
additional burden of reading the address of each piece of
information it receives to determine if the information is
intended for that computer. Information containing other
addresses are discarded.
Activehub- An active hub performs the same function as a
passive hub, but contains electronic circuits that regenerate and
retransmit the information. Thus, active hubs can be used to
extend the size of a network.
Intelligent hub- Intelligent hubs perform the same functions as
passive and active hubs; however, they can make informed
path selections and perform some network management.
Intelligent hubs route traffic only to the branch of the star on
which the receiving node is located. If redundant paths exist,
an intelligent hub can route information around normally used
paths when cable problems occur.
Routers, bridges, & switches are examples of hub devices that can
route transmissions intelligently. Intelligent hubs also can
incorporate diagnostic features that make it easier to
troubleshoot network problems.
Benefits of Stars
Most modern cabling systems are designed in a star physical
topology. The benefits of the star topology are many, including
the following:
Each device is isolated on its own cable. This makes it easy to
isolate individual devices from the network by disconnecting them
from the wiring hub.
All data goes through the central point, which can be equipped
with diagnostic devices that make it easy to trouble shoot and
manage the network.
Hierarchical organization allows isolation of traffic on the channel.
This is beneficial when several, but not all, computers place a
heavy load on the network. Traffic from those heavily used
computers can be separated from the rest or dispersed throughout
for a more even flow of traffic.
Disadvantages of Star topology
Star topology has the following disadvantages:
Because point-to-point wiring is utilized for each node, more
cable is required
Hub failures can disable large segments of the network.
Examples of Star topology
The following types of networks are examples of star
topologies:
ARCnet
10Base-T, 100Base-TX
StarLAN
4. Ring Topology
The ring topology is a physical, closed loopconsisting of point-to-
point links. In the diagram, you can see how each node on the ring
acts as a repeater. It receives a transmission from the previous node
and amplifies it before passing it on.
Benefits of Ring topology
Ring topology has the following advantage:
Each repeater duplicates the data signals so that very little signal
degradation occurs.
Disadvantages of Ring topology
Ring topology has the following disadvantages:
A break in the ring can disable the entire network. Many ring
designs incorporate extra cabling that can be switched in if a
primary cable fails.
Because each node must have the capability of functioning as a
repeater, the networking devices tend to be more expensive.
Examples of Ring topology
The following are examples of ring topologies:
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IBM Token Ring (although wired as a star)
Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI)
5. Bus Topology
In a bus topology, all devices attach to the same transmission
medium. The medium has a physical beginning and end. All
buses are implemented using electrical cable, usually coax, and the
ends of the cable must be terminated with a terminatingresistor
that matches the impedance of the cable. The terminating resistor
prevents data reflections from coming across as data corruption.
The bus is considered a multipoint system because all devices tap
into the same backbone cable.
An important characteristic to remember in bus topologies is that
all data signals are broadcast throughout the bus structure. In the
following diagram, if node B sends a signal to node C, the signal
propagates for the length of the cable and is seen by nodes A and
D as well. It is necessary to have an addressing mechanism so that
each node understands which messages it is to receive and which
to ignore.
Benefits of Bus topology
Bus topology has the following advantage:
Cabling costs are minimized because of the common trunk.
Disadvantages of Bus topology
Disadvantages of bus topology are as follows:
Difficult to trouble shoot because no central distribution points
exist.
Cable breaks can disable the entire segment because they remove
the required termination from each of the two cable fragments.
Examples of Bus topology
The following networks are examples of bus topology:
ARCnet, (Token bus)
Ethernet, (10Base2)
6. Hybrid Topology
The hybrid topology scheme combines multiple topologies into
one large topology. The hybrid network is common in large
wide-area networks. Because each topology has its own
strengths and weaknesses, several different types can be
combined for maximum effectiveness.
Benefits of Hybrid topology
Hybrid topology has the following advantages:
One company can combine the benefits of several different
types of topologies.
Workgroup efficiency and traffic can be customized.
Disadvantages of Hybrid topology
The disadvantages of hybrid topology include the following:
Devices on one topology cannot be placed into another
topology without some hardware changes.
Examples of Hybrid topology
An example of a hybrid topology is as follows:
A company can place its accounting database users on a ring for
better throughput, and its secretarial staff on a bus for ease of
cabling
Points to Ponder
Topology is the branch of mathematics that examines the
characteristics of geometric shapes. Networks have shapes, and
the shape a network takes has much to do with the way it
functions
types of topology are Logical & physical
Physical Topologies
Point-to-Point Topology
Multipoint Topology
Star Topology
Ring Topology
Bus Topology
Hybrid topology
In a star, each device connects to a central point via a point-to-
point link
The ring topology is a physical, closed loopconsisting of point-
to-point links
In a bus topology, all devices attach to the same transmission
medium
The hybrid topology scheme combines multiple topologies into
one large topology.
Students Activity
1.what is topology? Why is it required
2.How many types of topology are there ?Define physical topology
in details?