Lecture Outline

• Introduction
• Logical Topology
• Bus Topology
BIT 1305 – Computer Networks • Ring Topology
• Physical Topology
Network Topology • Star Topology
• Bus Topology
• Ring Topology
• KCA Network
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What is a Network Topology? What is a Network Topology?

• Network topology refers to the
configuration of cables, computers, and
other peripherals in a network.
• It is the arrangement of the various
elements (links, nodes, etc.) of
a computer.
• •
It represents the physical layout of the
devices in a network.
• A good example is a local area network (LAN).
• Any given node in the LAN has one or more
physical links to other devices in the network;
graphically mapping these links results in a
geometric shape that can be used to describe
the physical topology of the network.
Conversely, mapping the data flow between
the components determines the logical
topology of the network.

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Types of Topologies Logical Topology

• The logical topology, in contrast, is the way that the
• There are two basic categories of network signals act on the network media, or the way that the
topologies: data passes through the network from one device to
• Physical topologies the next without regard to the physical
• Logical topologies interconnection of the devices.
• A network's logical topology is not necessarily the
same as its physical topology. For example, the
original twisted pair Ethernet using repeater
hubs was a logical bus topology with a physical star
topology layout. 
• Token Ring is a logical ring topology, but is wired a
physical star from the Media Access Unit.
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 Logical Topology Logical Topology
• The logical classification of network topologies
• Logical topologies are often closely associated
generally follows the same classifications as those
in the physical classifications of network with Media Access Control methods and
topologies but describes the path that protocols.
the data takes between nodes being used as • Logical topologies are able to be dynamically
opposed to the actual physical connections reconfigured by special types of equipment
between nodes. such as routers and switches.
• The logical topologies are generally determined
by network protocols as opposed to being
determined by the physical layout of cables,
wires, and network devices.
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Logical Topology - Bus Logical Topology - Ring

Shared media Token based
• All the systems have the ability to access the physical
layout whenever they need it
Advantage • Works by using a token to provide access to
• The system has unrestricted access to the the physical media
physical media • Token travels around the network
Disadvantage • When a system needs to send information
• Collisions grabs the token off the wire attaches it to
⁻ If two systems send information in the wire at the packets that are sent and sends it back
the same time the packets collide and kill both out on the wire
packets • As the token travels each system examines
⁻ Typically deployed in a bus star or a hybrid
physical topology the token
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Advantage
• When the token arrives at its destination • No collision problems that Ethernet based
the system copy the information off the networks do experience because of the need to
wire and the token continues with its have the possession of the token to
journey until it gets back to the sender communicate.
Disadvantage
• When the sender receives the token back it • Latency.
pulls the token off the wire and sends out a – Delay as each machine has to wait until it
new empty token to be used by the next can use the token
machine
Typically configured in a ring topology because
the token need to be delivered back to the
original machine for it to release
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 Physical Topology Physical Topology
• The shape of the cabling layout used to link • There are three main physical network
devices is called the physical topology of the topologies. These include the following:-
network. 1. Star Topology
• This refers to the layout of cabling, the locations 2. Bus Topology
of nodes, and the interconnections between the
nodes and the cabling. 
3. Ring Topology
• The physical topology of a network is determined • Other physical topologies are hybrids or
by the capabilities of the network access devices extensions of the above three topologies.
and media, the level of control or fault tolerance These are:
desired, and the cost associated with cabling or 4. Mesh Topology
telecommunications circuits. 5. Tree
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Star Topology Star Topology

• A star topology is designed with each
node (file server, workstations, and
peripherals) connected directly to a
central network hub or concentrator.
• Data on a star network passes through
the hub or concentrator before
continuing to its destination.
• The hub or concentrator manages and
controls all functions of the network.
• It also acts as a repeater for the data flow.
• This configuration is common with twisted
pair cable; however, it can also be used
with coaxial cable or fiber optic cable.
• Data is transmitted using Ethernet
method

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Star Topology Star Topology

Advantages
• Easy to install and wire.
• No disruptions to the network when
connecting or removing devices.
• Easy to detect faults and to remove parts.
Disadvantages
• Requires more cable length than a linear
topology.
• If the hub or concentrator fails, nodes
attached are disabled.
• More expensive than linear bus
topologies because of the cost of the
concentrators.
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 Bus Topology Bus Topology

• Consists of a main run of cable with a

terminator at each end.
• All nodes are connected to the linear
cable.
• Data is transmitted using Ethernet and
local talk methods.

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Bus Topology Ring Topology

Advantages • Computers are connected on a single
• Easy to connect a computer or peripheral to a
linear bus. circle of cable.
• Requires less cable length than a star topology. • The signals travel around the loop in one
Disadvantages direction and pass through each
• Entire network shuts down if there is a break in computer, which acts as a repeater to
the main cable.
• Terminators are required at both ends of the boost the signal and send it to the next
backbone cable. computer.
• Difficult to identify the problem if the entire • The method by which the data is
network shuts down.
• Not meant to be used as a stand-alone solution transmitted around the ring is called
in a large building. token passing.
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Ring Topology Ring Topology

Advantages
• A token is a special series of bits that • Easy to install
contains control information. • Costs are usually low
• Possession of the token allows a network • Easy to add systems to the net work
device to transmit data to the network. • Great for small networks
• Each network has only one token. Disadvantages
• Out of date technology
• If cable breaks whole network is down
• Can be difficult to troubleshoot
• Unmanageable in a large network
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 Ring Topology

Other Physical Topologies –

Hybrid topologies

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Mesh Topology Mesh Topology

• A mesh topology provides redundant
communication paths between some or
all devices (partial or full mesh).
• The topology in which every devices
connects to every other device is called a
full Mesh topology
• The partial mesh is the topology in which
every device is indirectly connected to
the other devices
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Mesh Topology Mesh Topology

• Advantage
• Unlike each of the previous
topologies, messages sent on a
mesh network can take any of
several possible paths from source
to destination
• Disadvantage
• Requires a lot of transmission media
hence Expensive
• Difficult to implement
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 Tree Topology Tree Topology
• This combines characteristics of linear bus and
star topologies. Also called hybrid topology
• consists of groups of star-configured
workstations connected to a linear bus
backbone cable
• The topology allow for the expansion of an
existing network, and enable schools to
configure a network to meet their needs.
• If a single computer fails, it will not affect the
rest of the network
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Tree Topology Star-Ring Topology

Advantages • The computers are connected to a central
• Point-to-point wiring for individual component as in a star network. These
segments. components, however, are wired to form
• Supported by several hardware and a ring network .
software vendors. • If a single computer fails, it will not affect
Disadvantages the rest of the network. By using token
• Overall length of each segment is limited passing, each computer in a star-ring
by the type of cabling used. topology has an equal chance of
• If the backbone line breaks, the entire communicating.
segment goes down. • This allows for greater network traffic
• More difficult to configure and wire than between segments than in a star-bus
other topologies. topology.
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KCA University Network Topology

• KCA university is a hybrid topology.
• A star bus topology where regional star
topologies are connected via bus
backbone. Network Topology
• Library – Star
• Block C – Star
• TC (old): Ground and first floor – Star End
• TC (New): 3rd floor and offices on 2nd
floor – Star.
• Backbones connecting these star
segments to the main server room.
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