C.

COMPUTER NETWORK TOPOLOGIES

Aims and Learning Outcomes

That students can:
1. Describe the Physical and Logical topology.
2. Identify the different types of network topologies and their
properties.
3. Explain the advantages and disadvantages between network
topologies.

A Network Topology is the arrangement with which computer systems or

network devices are connected to each other. Or it is the arrangement of a network
which comprises of nodes and connecting lines via sender and receiver.
Topologies may define both physical and logical aspect of the network. Both
logical and physical topologies could be same or different in a same network.

 Physical
 Describes the way in which a network is physically laid out.
 Refers to the actual arrangement of network nodes and
links.
 Logical
 Describes how the data actually flow through the network.

Point-to-Point
Point-to-point networks contains exactly two hosts such as
computer, switches, routers, or servers connected back to back using a
single piece of cable. Often, the receiving end of one host is connected to
sending end of the other and vice versa.

If the hosts are connected point-to-point logically, then may have

multiple intermediate devices. But the end hosts are unaware of underlying
network and see each other as if they are connected directly.

Types of Topologies

1) Bus Topology
2) Ring Topology
3) Mesh Topology
4) Star Topology
5) Tree Topology
6) Hybrid Topology
BUS TOPOLOGY

 Bus topology is a network type in which every computer and network

device is connected to single cable (sometimes called a backbone or
segment). When it has exactly two endpoints, then it is called Linear
Bus topology.
 Both ends of the bus must be terminated with a terminating resistor to
prevent signal bounce.

 Terminator - is an electrical resistor that absorbs the signal when it

reaches the end of the network. The data is sent in only one direction
and as soon as it reaches the extreme end, the terminator removes the
data from the line.

Advantages of Bus topology

1. It is cost effective.
2. Cable required is least compared to other network topology.
3. Used in small networks.
4. It is easy to understand, implement and extend.
5. Easy to expand joining two cables together
6. Failure of one node does not affect others

Disadvantages of Bus topology

1. Limited cable length and number of stations

2. Cables (backbone) fails then whole network fails.
3. If network traffic is heavy or nodes are more the performance of the
network decreases.
4. It is slower than the ring topology.
5. It can be difficult to identify the problems if the whole network goes
down.
RING TOPOLOGY

 Each networked workstation had two connections: one to each of its

nearest neighbors.
 A number of repeaters are used
 When one host tries to communicate or send message to a host
which is not adjacent to it, the data travels through all intermediate
hosts.
 Data is transferred in a sequential (unidirectional) manner that is bit
by bit. Data transmitted, has to pass through each node of the
network, till the destination node.
 Sending and receiving of data takes place by the help of TOKEN
 To connect one more host in the existing structure, the administrator
may need only one more extra cable.

Token Passing
 A small data frame known as a token is transmitted around the ring
from device to device.
 This token then passes to next node, which checks if the signal is
intended to it
 If yes, it receives it and passes the empty to into the network
 otherwise passes token along with the data to next node

Ring topology

Advantages of Ring topology

1. This type of network topology is very organized.
2. Performance is better than that of Bus topology.
3. Additional components do not affect the performance of network.
4. Each computer has equal access to resources

Disadvantages of Ring topology

1. Each packet of data must pass through all the computers
between source and destination, slower than star topology.
2. If one workstation or port goes down, the entire network gets
affected
3. Network is highly dependent on the wire which connects different
components
 Dual Ring Topology
 Type of ring topology that consist of two primary and secondary
rings.
 The secondary ring is redundant. It is used as a backup in case
the primary ring fails.
 In these configurations, data moves in opposite directions
(bidirectional) around the rings.

STAR TOPOLOGY

 All the devices are connected to a central device called hub

device, using a point-to-point connection.
 Each networked device in star topology can access the media
independently.
 Every node has its own dedicated connection to the hub.
 Data passes through hub before reaching destination.

The hub device can be any of the following:

- Layer-1 device such as hub or repeater
- Layer-2 device such as switch or bridge
- Layer-3 device such as router or gateway

Node

Hub/Switch

Advantages of star topology

1) Compared to Bus topology it gives far much better performance

2) Easy to install, configure, manage and expand.
3) Addition or removal of devices does not affect the whole network.
4) Failure of one node or link doesn’t affect the rest of network.

Disadvantages of star topology

1) If central device fails whole network is stopped because all the nodes
depend on the hub.
2) The use of hub or switch as central device increases the overall cost
of the network. Requires more cable.
3) The central network device determines the performance and number
of nodes the network can handle.
4) Expensive to use.
MESH TOPOLOGY

 Every device is connected with another via dedicated channels.

These channels are known as links.
 This topology has hosts in point-to-point connection with every other
host

Data is transmitted via two methods:

1. Routing - is where nodes use routing logic to work out the shortest
distance to the packet’s destination.
2. Flooding - data is sent to all nodes within the network.

 Partial Mesh Topology: most nodes are interconnected but there

are a few which are only connected to two or three other nodes. This
topology exists where we need to provide reliability to some hosts
out of all.
 Full Mesh Topology: All hosts have a point-to-point connection to
every other host in the network. It provides the most reliable network
structure among all network topologies.

Advantages of Mesh topology

1. Each connection can carry its own data load.

2. The failure of single computer does not bring down the entire
network.
 3. Provides security and privacy because every message sent travels
along a dedicated line.
4. Adding additional devices does not disrupt data transmission
between other devices.

Disadvantages of Mesh topology

1. Installation and configuration is difficult.
2. Cost of cables are high/expensive as bulk wiring is required.
3. Cost of maintenance is high.

TREE TOPOLOGY

 This is the most common form of network topology in use presently.

This topology imitates as extended Star topology and inherits
properties of Bus topology also known as a star bus topology.
 Also known as Hierarchical Topology, it connects multiple star
topologies to other star topology network.
 In this network, the signal from transmitting device first reaches the
centralized device then the signals pass through every node in bus
network.

Advantages of Tree topology

 Expansion of nodes is possible and easy.

 Easily managed and maintained.
 Best to be used on larger network.
 If one device is damaged then the other devices are not affected.

Disadvantages of Tree topology

 A failure of the central hub or failure of the main data trunk cable, can
affect the whole network.
 Heavily cabled.
 Costly.
 If more nodes are added maintenance is difficult.
Hybrid Topology
A network structure whose design contains more than one topology is said
to be hybrid topology. Hybrid topology inherits merits and demerits of all the
incorporating topologies.
The combination of various different topologies is known as Hybrid
topology. A Hybrid topology is a connection between different links and nodes to
transfer the data.

The above picture represents an arbitrarily hybrid topology. The combining

topologies may contain attributes of all topologies. Most WANs are connected by
means of Dual-Ring topology as backbone and networks connected to them are
mostly Star topology networks. Internet is the best example of largest Hybrid
topology.
Advantages of Hybrid Topology
 Reliable: If a fault occurs in any part of the network will not affect the
functioning of the rest of the network.
 Scalable: Size of the network can be easily expanded by adding new
devices without affecting the functionality of the existing network.
 Flexible: This topology is very flexible as it can be designed according to
the requirements of the organization.
 Effective: Hybrid topology is very effective as it can be designed in such a
way that the strength of the network is maximized and weakness of the
network is minimized.
Disadvantages of Hybrid Topology
 Complex design: The major drawback of the Hybrid topology is the design
of the Hybrid network. It is very difficult to design the architecture of the
Hybrid network.
 Costly Hub: The Hubs used in the Hybrid topology are very expensive as
these hubs are different from usual Hubs used in other topologies.
 Costly infrastructure: The infrastructure cost is very high as a hybrid
network requires a lot of cabling, network devices, etc.