Gapoy, Frednixen B.

July 4, 2021
BSMT1- Alpha

Reflection Paper about the short video titled:

“Network Topologies (Star, Bus, Ring, Mesh, Ad hoc, Infrastructure, & Wireless Mesh
Topology)”

The short clip titled “Network Topologies (Star, Bus, Ring, Mesh, Ad hoc,
Infrastructure, & Wireless Mesh Topology)” is an introductory educational video which aims
to feature various topologies to the viewers. It was presented by speakers from Crash
Course. It begun by first introducing the concept of topologies. Afterwards, the different
types of topologies were cited and explained one by one.

A topology, also known as a network topology, is the physical design of a network

that dictates how the computers on the network are connected. The bus topology, linear
bus, mesh topology, ring topology, star topology, tree topology, and hybrid topology are all
common configurations.

There are two main types of topologies: wired and wireless. The most common
wired topology that's used is the star topology.A star topology is a network topology in
which each network node is connected to a hub or switch. One of the most significant
advantages of this topology is that if one computer fails or the cable breaks, the other
computers are unaffected because each machine has its own cable connection. A downside
of the star topology is that if the central hub or switch fails, all of the computers connected
to it are affected.

Ring topology is another sort of topology. A ring topology is a network design in

which one computer is connected to the others in a closed loop or ring. As a result, for
communication reasons, every computer on this ring has exactly two neighbors. Until it
reaches its intended receiver, each data packet is sent around the ring. The problem is that
if just one of these computers fails or if a single cable breaks, the entire data flow would be
affected.

Another example of topology is the bus topology. Just like the ring topology, it is an
outdated technology that isn't widely utilized anymore. This is a network configuration in
which all PCs and network devices are connected to a single coaxial cable or backbone. A
benefit of the bus topology is that it is relatively inexpensive and simple to implement. The
bus topology, on the other hand, has the drawback of requiring the use of terminators at
both ends of the cable. For this configuration to work, there must be no open connections,
including the ends that link to the computers.

The next one is mesh topology. Each computer on the network is connected to every
other computer on the network in a mesh topology. The benefit of a mesh topology is that it
provides a high level of redundancy. Because even if one or more links go down, the
computers can still interact with one another.Wide-area networks, such as the internet, are
where they are most commonly employed. Even if a few routers fall down, the data will be
rerouted to their destination via an alternative way.

The second major category of topology is the wireless.The first type of it is the
wireless infrastructure topology. In this topology, wired and wireless devices are both
employed. This is quite similar to a star topology, in which wired devices are physically
linked to a switch. You also have a wireless access point that is connected to the same
switch through a cable. The wireless access point is intended to allow wireless devices like
laptops, tablets, and cell phones to connect to the network wirelessly. Through it,
depending on the demands of the users, you can now have various wireless access points.

Ad hoc is one type of wireless topology. Ad hoc networking is a very basic wireless
topology. It's easy since it doesn't rely on any infrastructural components like cables,
routers, or wireless access points. In a simple peer-to-peer network, all devices in an ad hoc
network wirelessly connect to other devices. Because they communicate directly with one
another without the assistance of a server or router, each device is responsible for its own
security and authorization. Ad hoc networks are excellent for quickly establishing a wireless
network where devices can share data without the need for an existing network.

Last but certainly not the least is the wireless mesh. Each wireless access point in a
wireless mesh communicates with other wireless access points to create a seamless internet
connection for wireless devices. Because all of the access points are in continual
communication with each other and the modem, you will have internet access regardless of
which access point you are connected to. It won't matter if one or more access points fail
because the data will be rerouted by the other access points.

Overall, the video was a magnificent, as it presented a lot of information about

topologies. Before watching this video, I know not a single thing about it. Now, I know that a
topology is the physical design of a network that dictates how the computers on the
network are connected.There are various types of topologies such as Ad Hoc, Mesh, and
Star. They all have their own flaws and advantages, so the users must know which specific
network he or she utilize shall utilize for his or her purpose.