Topologies

Chapter 6

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Chapter Objectives

 Explain the different topologies

 Explain the structure of various topologies
 Compare different topologies

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Recall

 LAN types are Ethernet, Token Ring, Token bus and

Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI).
 OSI layers are Physical, Data Link, Network,
Transport, Session, Presentation and Application
layer
 The factors of network selection criteria are
Performance, Reliability and Security
 Standards organization is unit which develops,
maintains, improves, amends and revises standards

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Introducing Topologies
 Topology refers to physical or logical arrangement of
network
 Physical topologies are
 Single Node
 Bus
 Star
 Ring
 Mesh
 Tree
 Hybrid

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Single Node Topology - I
 Single device, at times device called dumb terminal
is connected to the server
 Devices operates on files from server and returns
them back after completing task

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Single Node Topology - II
 Advantages:  Disadvantages:

 Easy to install,  Network consists of

configure and manage single device

 Least expensive  Dumb terminal is

dependent on server
 Single cable is required

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Bus topology - I
 All devices are connected to a common cable called
trunk
 Maximum segment length of cable is 200 m
 Maximum of 30 devices per segment

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Bus topology - II

 Server is at one end and devices are at different

positions
 50 ohm terminator is used
 Devices are not responsible for data transmission
 Number of collisions are more
 Daisy chain method can be used to add more
devices

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Bus topology - III

 Advantages:  Disadvantages:

 Installation of devices  If backbone breaks,

is easy entire network gets
down
 Requires less cable
compared to star  Difficult to isolate
topology problems

 Less expensive and  Limited number of

works better for smaller devices
networks

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Star Topology - I
 Each device is connected to a central device called
hub through cable
 Data passes through hub before reaching
destination

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Star Topology - II

 Advantages:  Disadvantages:

 Easy to install,  Requires more cable

configure, manage and
expand  Failure of hub affects
entire network
 Centralized  More Expensive
management

 Addition or removal of
device does not affect
the whole network

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Case Study 1

Hyderabad branch of the MoneyMaker bank has built

an insurance department in such a way that each
device is connected to one another. This department
consists of seven agents. It is required that agents
should handle only their specific clients since the
information is confidential. But in the existing topology
the data is not secured. So, Smith, the network
administrator, wants to switch over to other topology.

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Problem

Design a new type of network for this department.

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Suggested Solution

The current topology implemented by the bank is

mesh in which information is shared between different
devices. To obtain security of data star network seems
to be the best choice. It also provides ease of
troubleshooting, centralized management and ease of
reconfiguration.

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Ring Topology - I

 Devices are connected

in a closed loop
 All devices have equal
access to media
 Device waits for its turn
to transmit
 Most common type is
Token Ring

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Ring Topology - II

 Advantages:  Disadvantages:

 Data travels at greater  More cabling is

speed required compared to
bus

 No collisions  One faulty device

affects the entire
 Handles large volume network
of traffic
 Addition of devices
affect network

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Dual Ring Topology

 Consists of two
independent primary
and secondary rings

 Secondary ring is
redundant, used only
when primary stops
functioning

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Mesh Topology - I

 Used in WANs to
interconnect LANs
 Every device is
connected to every
other device
 Use routers to
determine the best path
of communication

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Mesh Topology - II

Types

Full mesh Partial mesh

 Full mesh topology – All devices are connected to

each other
 Partial mesh topology - Some devices are
connected to only those with whom they exchange
most of the data

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Mesh Topology - III

 Advantages:  Disadvantages:

 Improves fault  Difficult to install and

tolerance manage

 Failure of one link

does not affect entire  Each link from one
network device to other
requires individual NIC
 Centralized
management is not  Very much expensive
required

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Tree Topology - I

 Connects groups of star

networks
 Devices are wired to
root hub
 Root hub is connected
to second level devices
 Lowest level devices
are smaller computers

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Tree Topology - II

 Advantages:  Disadvantages:
 Easy to add new  Difficult to configure
devices  If backbone breaks,
 Point-to-point wiring for entire network goes
each device down
 Fault detection is easy  More expensive

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Hybrid Topology - I

 Combines two or more different physical topologies

 Commonly Star-Bus or Star-Ring
 Star-Ring uses Multistation Access Unit (MAU)

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Hybrid Topology - II

 Advantages:  Disadvantages:

 Used for creating  Installation and

larger networks configuration is difficult

 Handles large volume  More expensive than

of traffic other topologies

 Fault detection is easy  More cabling is

required

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Case Study 2

MoneyMaker Bank at Mumbai has implemented a

star topology in their IT department. All computers
are connected to the central switch. In the Loan
department, all computers are connected in closed
loop format. Network administrator, John wants to
connect these two networks so that data can be
shared among different departments.

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Problem

Connect two different departments

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Suggested Solution

The administrator can join these two star and ring

networks to form a hybrid network with the help of
Multistation Access Unit (MAU). It is a centralized
hub. Ensure that there is no break in the link
between two computers in a ring network and switch
in star network is working properly.

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Summary - I

 Network is an interconnection of many

communicating entities that are connected for the
purpose of data communication
 Topology describes the way in which networking
devices are connected to each other
 Physical topologies are how the wires are
interconnected, while logical topology is how the
network behaves and interoperates
 Different types of topologies are Single Node, Star,
Bus, Ring, Mesh, Tree and Hybrid

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Summary - II

 In a single node topology, just a single device called

dumb terminal is connected to the server
 Bus topology connects each device to a single cable
and at either end of the cable terminator is used to
remove unsent data from the cable
 In star topology, multiple devices are connected to a
central connection point known as hub or switch
 In a ring topology, data travels around the loop in
one direction and passes through each device

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Summary - III

 In a mesh topology, every device is connected to

each and every node in the network with many
redundant interconnections at least two paths to and
from every node
 Tree topology connects multiple star networks to
other star networks using bus topology
 Hybrid topology is a combination of different
topologies such as Star-Bus or Star-Ring

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