Computer network (collection of computers)

Benefits:
 Communication
 Sharing the data and information
 Sharing the hardware resources
 Sharing the software resources
Network topology (layout of computer)

Types of topology:

 Bus topology
 Ring topology
 Star topology
 Tree topology
 Mesh topology

Bus topology:
Bus topology, also known as line topology, is a type of network topology in which all devices in the network
are connected by one central RJ-45 network cable or coaxial cable.

Components of bus topology:

 Terminator
 No of nodes(computers)
 Bus(wires)
Advantages of bus topology:

 Simple to use.
 Cheap to install.
 Less no of cables is used in comparison to other topology.

Disadvantages of bus topology:

 If main cable is damaged the whole network will fail.

 Slow performance.
 Every work station accesses the data on the network (security issue).

Star topology:
Star topology is a network topology in which each network component is physically connected to a central
node such as a router, hub or switch.

Components of star topology:

 Hub
 Wire
 No of nodes

Advantages of star topology:

 Highly efficient.
 Centralized network management.
 Safe to use.
 No point-to-point connectors.
Disadvantages of star topology:

 High maintenance.
 Expensive.
 Mainly depends on the central hub.
 Requires additional equipment.

Ring topology:
A ring network is a network topology in which each node connects to exactly two other nodes, forming a
single continuous pathway for signals through each node – a ring. Data travels from node to node, with each
node along the way handling every packet.

Components of ring topology:

 Wires
 No of nodes

Advantages of ring topology:

 Transmitting network is not affected by adding more nodes, as only the nodes having tokens can
transmit data.
 Cheap to install and expand.
Disadvantages of ring topology:

 Troubleshooting is difficult in ring topology.

 Failure of one computer disturbs the whole network.
 Adding or removing nodes disturbs the network activity.
Tree topology:
A tree topology, or star-bus topology, is a hybrid network topology in which star networks are
interconnected via bus networks. Tree networks are hierarchical, and each node can have an arbitrary
number of child nodes.

Components of tree topology:

 Wire
 Hub
 No of nodes
 Bus(wire)

Advantages of tree topology:

 Easier detection of error.

 Failure of single node will not disturb the other nodes.
 Expansion of network is possible and easy.
 In this we divide the whole network into segments (star topology) which can be easily managed and
maintained.

Disadvantage of tree topology:

 Difficult in maintenance and configuration.
 Tree topology poses the high security threat.
 If the main cable of topology collapses the whole network will also collapse.

Mesh topology:
Mesh topology is a type of networking in which all the computers are inter-connected to each other. In Mesh
Topology, the connections between devices take place randomly. The connected nodes can be computers,
switches, hubs, or any other devices.

Components of mesh topology:

 Wires.
 No of nodes

Advantage of mesh topology:

 It can manage high level of traffic when setup is complete.

 Almost impossible to take down.
 Easy to add new devices.
 Consistent data transmission.
 Error in one device does not disturb the connection.

Disadvantages of mesh topology:

 Very costly.
 Complex structure.
 Difficult to setup initially.
 Maintenance is challenging.
 More power consumption.