Types of Ethernet Topology

The different types of Ethernet topology are ring, bus, mesh, hybrid and star topology.

1. Mesh Topology

In the mesh topology, every device is associated with other components to form a network via
dedicated or concern point to point link. The concern link denotes that only transmits data for only two
associated devices. Consider there are N devices in the entire network, the number of associated
network components will be N-1. Then the number of links established in the mesh topology of N
devices would be N(N-1)/2.

There are no traffic issues created at data flow which is concerned between two components that
means the link connection is available only for the dedicated two devices. It is robust and reliable which
doesn’t impact the other links and interaction between the other component in the network.in the
mesh topology, there are many easy fault detection methods. It is a secure method as there is a point to
point link because of the impossible unauthorized access. The quantity of wires needed to link every
system is monotonous and each device requires many numbers of I/O ports. The scalability issues are
developed because the huge number of devices is connected to a concerning point to point link.

2. Star Topology

In the star topology, the network component is controlled by a central management component called
the hub. The star topology doesn’t enable any direct connection between devices, every single data is
communicated via the central hub component. If any component from the network wants to send a
message to other devices then it should be transmitted via a hub to the designated hub. Star topology
provides only minimum expense and requires a single I/O port which should be connected to a hub with
only one link. It is easy to implement and requires only less amount of cable. It provides a robust process
if any one link fails, it isolates from the rest of the network and the productivity doesn’t get affected.
The fault detection process is simple and the affected part can be easily identified. The hub needs many
resources and periodic maintenance as it is the central management of the entire network.

3. Bus Topology

In the bus topology, all the components are connected to the main cable via drop lines. The main device
is called a tap which links the drop wire to the main wire. Since all the information over the main cable is
transmitted, there is a constraint of drop lines and a distance of the main cable. The installation of bus
topology is an easy process that is associated via backbone cable. Comparing to Mesh and star topology,
it requires only a few wires. Since there is a limit of how many numbers of nodes connected with
backbone cable, here the fault is difficult to be detected and it also becomes non-scalable.
 4. Ring topology

Ring topology is a device linked to two or multiple devices either one or two sides connected to s
network. There is a dual dedicated point to point links a component with the component on both sides.
The structure of the ring topology sends a unidirectional flow of data. It connects a repeater which
forwards the data often and keeps on intending the server until it receives the data. The installation of
ring topology is simple. The addition or removal of the device from the topology is easy and it can be
changed frequently whenever it required. The failure of links breaks the working of the entire network
and the process gets stopped. The data traffic issues are created as there is only one direction of the
flow of data.

5. Hybrid Topology

The combination of two topologies is called as hybrid topology. For example, the hybrid topology is
formed by the merging of mesh and star topology. The hybrid topology can be formed according to the
requirement concerning scalability and productivity. But the detection of fault is complex and
installation is a tedious process. There is a complex design and the deployment requires expensive cost.