WAMUSI ROBERT

BSC.IT, MSC.IT
A network is a set of devices (often referred to as nodes) connected by
communication links. A node can be a computer, printer, or any other device capable of
sending and/or receiving data generated by other nodes on the network. A link can be
a cable, air, optical fiber, or any medium which can transport a signal carrying
information.
A computer network is two or more computers connected together using a
telecommunication system for the purpose of communicating and sharing resources.
A computer network is a group of computers linked to each other that enables the
computer to communicate with another computer and share their resources, data, and
applications.
It refers to two or more computers or communications devices connected by
transmission media and channels and guided by a set of rules for communication
purposes that allow users to communicate with each other and share applications and
data.
Components of a Computer Network
Hardware:
 Computer
 Network card
 Routers
 Modem …
Media:
 Cable
 Wire
 Microwave
Network Design:
 Logical layout
 Physical layout …
Software:
 Network OS
 Utilities …
Why they are interesting?
 Overcome geographic limits
  Access remote data
 Separate clients and server
Categories of topology
Topology is pattern of interconnection of nodes in a network.
Topology” refers to the layout of connected devices on a network. One can think of
a topology as a network’s virtual shape or structure. Network topologies are
categorized into the following basic types: bus, ring, star, tree, mesh. More complex
networks can be built as hybrids of two or more of the above basic topologies.
STAR TOPOLOGY
In Star, all computers are connected to central device called hub, router or switches
using Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) or Shielded Twisted Pair cables.
In star topology, we require more connecting devices like routers, The most
practical point of Star topology success is that the entire network does not go down
in case of failure of a computer or cable or device, it will only affect the computer
whose wire failed rest of the network will be working fine.. Star topology is widely
used in homes, offices and in buildings because of its commercial success.
A star topology connecting five stations

Advantages
• Easy to add devices as the network expands
• One cable failure does not bring down the entire network (resilience)
• Hub provides centralised management
• Easy to find device and cable problems
• Can be upgraded to faster speeds
• Lots of support as it is the most used
Disadvantages
 A star network requires more cable than a ring or bus network
 Failure of the central hub can bring down the entire network
 Costs are higher (installation and equipment) than for most bus networks
 BUS TOPOLOGY
Each node is daisy-chained (connected one right after the other) along the same
backbone. Information sent from a node travels along the backbone until it reaches
its destination node.
It is sometimes called Point-to-point (PTP) topology connecting two nodes directly
together.
Each end of a bus network must be terminated with a resistor.
 Network maintained by a single cable
 Uses thin coaxial cable (backbones will be thick coaxial cable)
 Extra stations can be added in a daisy chain manner
 Simple and low-cost
 A single cable called a trunk (backbone, segment)
 Only one computer can send messages at a time
 Passive topology - computer only listen for, not regenerate data
 Thick Ethernet (10Base5) used for backbones
 Limited to 500m Total of four repeaters , 2500m, with a total of 488 nodes
Max of 100 nodes per segment
The example of pure point to point links is two computers communicating via modems
as below

A bus topology connecting three stations

Advantages a bus topology

• Inexpensive to install
• Easy to add stations
• Use less cable than other topologies
 • Works well for small networks
• A single node failure does not bring the network down
• Most widely implemented topology
• Network can be added to or changed without affecting other stations
Disadvantages a bus topology
 No longer recommended
 Backbone breaks, whole network down
 Limited no of devices can be attached
 Fault diagnosis is difficult
 Fault isolate is Difficult
 Sharing same cable slows response rates (Repeater Configuration)
 Collisions can occur easily
 Only one device can access the network media at a time.
RING TOPOLOGY
• Each node is connected to two and only two neighboring nodes. Data is accepted
from one of the neighboring nodes and is transmitted onwards to another. Thus
data travels in one direction only, from node to node around the ring. After
passing through each node, it returns to the sending node, which removes it
• Uses a token to pass information from one computer to the other.
• A token is attached to the message by the sender to identify which computer
should receive the message. As the message moves around the ring, each
computer examines the token. If the computer identifies the token as its own,
then it will process the information. (SINGH, 2019)
A ring topology connecting six stations
•
Advantages of Ring Topology:-
• Short cable length.
• No wiring closet space required.
• Suitable for optical fibers.
Disadvantages of Ring Topology:-
• Node failure causes network failure.
• Difficult to diagnose faults.
• Network reconfiguration is difficult.
TREE TOPOLOGY
 Tree topology is a variation of bus topology
 A special node is designated as root
 The primary reason for this topology is to segment nodes so that not all
nodes need to listen to packets broadcast on a segment
 This adds a layer of security in the form of unwanted nodes not listening to
the network traffic.
 Looks like an upside-down tree where end nodes are linked to interior nodes
that allow linking through to another end node

Advantages of Tree Topology

 Easy addition of nodes and network expansion.
 Easy to troubleshoot errors on the network since each of the branches
can be individually assessed for performance issues.
Disadvantages of Tree Topology
 The entire network depends on the health of the root node in a tree
topology structure.
 They are expensive because of the sheer amount of cabling required
to connect each device to the next within the hierarchical layout.
(Delmin, 2019)
MESH TOPOLOGY:-
In this topology, each node is connected to more than one node to provide an
alternative route in the case the host is either down or too busy. It is an extension
to Point –Point network.
The mesh topology is excellent for long distance networking because it provides
extensive back-up, rerouting and pass-through capabilities. Communication is
possible between any two nodes on the network either directly or by passing
through.
Each node is connected to every other node directly i.e. there is a direct link
between each host , then the network is called fully connected.
• Allows communication to continue in the event of a break in any one connection

Advantages of Mesh topology

 No data traffic issues as there is a dedicated link between two devices
which means the link is only available for those two devices.
 Mesh topology is reliable and robust as failure of one link doesn’t affect
other links and the communication between other devices on the network.
 Mesh topology is secure because there is a point to point link thus
unauthorized access is not possible.
 Fault detection is easy.
Disadvantages of Mesh topology
 Amount of wires required to connected each system is tedious and
headache.
 Since each device needs to be connected with other devices, number of
I/O ports required must be huge.
 Scalability issues because a device cannot be connected with large
number of devices with a dedicated point to point link.
Hybrid Physical Topologies
  Complex combinations of fundamental physical topologies – more suitable for
modern networks
 Minimize weaknesses and increase scalability of networks – better fit large and
growing networks
 Two primary kinds – star-wired ring and star-wired bus
 Implies groups of nodes that are star-connected to connectivity devices that are
connected via a bus
 Enables covering longer distances and interconnecting or isolating different
network segments
 Inherits fault-tolerance, scalability, and manageability from a star topology
 Requires more cabling and more connectivity devices than a star or a bus – more
expensive than basic ones
 A basis for modern midsize and large Ethernet networks

Conclusion
Topologies are essence of computer networks design. Efficient networks can only be
built based on the complete knowledge and understanding of above mentioned
topologies. Knowledge of every communication device is of equal importance to help
you find the best option for your network requirements. Optimum networks can be
built with complete knowledge and understanding of computer network devices and
how they are designed, any mistake in choosing inappropriate techniques, device
etc can only be the waste of time, resources and efforts.