CHAPTER-1.

3
Network topologies
Network Infrastructure Devices
NETWORK TOPOLOGY
 A network topology is the physical layout of computers,
cables, and other components on a network. There are a
number of different network topologies, and a network
may be built using multiple topologies.
 Bus topology
 Star topology
 Mesh topology
 Ring topology
 Hybrid topology
 Wireless topology
BUS TOPOLOGY
 A bus topology consists of a main run of cable with a
terminator at each end.
 All nodes like workstations, printers, laptops, servers etc., are
connected to the linear cable. The terminator is used to absorb
the signal when the signal reaches the end, preventing signal
bounce.
 When using bus topology, when a computer sends out a signal,
the signal travels the cable length in both directions from the
sending computer. When the signal reaches the end of the cable
length, it bounces back and returns in the direction it came
from. This is known as signal bounce. Signal bounce will create
problem in the network, because if another signal is sent on the
cable length at the same time, the two signals will collide.
 BUS TOPOLOGY

Advantages
• Easy to connect a
computer or peripheral to a
linear bus.
• Requires less cable
length than a star topology.

Disadvantages
• Entire network shuts down if there is a break in the main cable.
• Terminators are required at both ends of the backbone cable.
• Difficult to identify the problem if the entire network shuts
down.
• Not meant to be used as a stand-alone solution.
STAR TOPOLOGY
 A star topology is designed with each
node (like workstations, printers,
laptops, servers etc.) connected directly
to a central device called as a network
switch. Each workstation has a cable
that goes from its network card to a
network switch.

 Most popular and widely used LAN

 STAR TOPOLOGY
Advantages
• Easy to install and
wire.
• No disruptions to the
network when
connecting or removing
devices.
• Easy to detect faults
and to remove parts.
Disadvantages
• Requires more cable length than a linear bus topology.
• If the connecting network device (network switch) fails, nodes attached
are disabled and cannot participate in network communication.
• More expensive than linear bus topology because of the cost of the
connecting devices (network switches).
MESH TOPOLOGY
 In Mesh topology, every network device is
connected to other network devices.
Mesh topology is costly because of the
extra cables needed and it is very
complex and difficult to manage.
 The main advantage of mesh topology is
multiple paths to the destination
computer. If one link is down, we have
another path to reach the destination.
MESH TOPOLOGY
RING TOPOLOGY
 In a ring topology, all computers are connected via a
cable that loops in a ring or circle. A ring topology is a
circle that has no start and no end and terminators
are not necessary in a ring topology. Signals travel in
one direction on a ring while they pass from one
computer to the next, with each computer
regenerating the signal so that it may travel the
distance required.

 The main advantage of Ring topology is that the

signal degeneration is low since each workstation
participating in the network is responsible for
RING TOPOLOGY
HYBRID TOPOLOGY
 Hybrid topology is a mixture of different
topologies. Example is star-bus topology.
WIRELESS TOPOLOGY
 Wireless network topology is a logical
topology. It shows how the computers
connect and interact each other when
there is no physical connection, no
cables connecting the computers. The
computers communicate each other
directly, using the wireless devices.
Wireless networks can have
infrastructure or ad hoc topology.
WIRELESS TOPOLOGY
NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE DEVICES

 NIC (Network Interface Card)

 Router
 Switch
 Bridge
 Hub
 Gateway
NIC (NETWORK INTERFACE CARD)
 A NIC (Network Interface Card) provides the hardware
interface between a computer and a network. These days,
almost all new computer motherboards have in-built NIC.
 Every NIC (Network Interface Card) has a 48-bit globally
unique identifier called as MAC Address (Media Access
Control Address) burned into its ROM chip. This MAC address
is used to deliver Ethernet Frames (packets) to a computer.
 The NIC driver software passes the data between the
Operating System and the NIC. Latest Operating Systems
include different NIC driver software for almost all major NIC
vendors.
NIC
MAC addresses are 12-digit hexadecimal numbers (48 bits in
length). By convention, MAC addresses are usually written in one of
the following formats:
MM:MM:MM:SS:SS:SS
MMMM-MMSS-SSSS

The first half (24 BITS) of a MAC address contains the ID number of
the adapter manufacturer. These IDs are regulated by an Internet
standards body (see sidebar). The second half (24 MORE BITS) of a
MAC address represents the serial number assigned to the adapter
by the manufacturer. In the example,
00:A0:C9:14:C8:29
The prefix
00A0C9
indicates the manufacturer is Intel Corporation.
HUB
 Hubs were the common network infrastructure devices
used for Local Area Network (LAN) connectivity but
network switches are rapidly replacing hubs.
 When a hub receives a packet of data at one of its
ports from a network device, it transmits (repeats) the
packet to all of its ports to all of the other network
devices. If two network devices on the same network
try to send packets at the same time a collision is said
to occur.
BRIDGE/SWITCH
 A Bridge/Switch is a network device that typically operates
at the Data Link layer (Layer 2) of the OSI model.
 Bridge has only few ports and connect only a few hosts. A
Bridge has comparatively less ports than a Switch. A
Switch has usually 24 ports or 48 ports.
 Bridges can operate only in half duplex mode, but a Switch
can operate both in half duplex or full duplex mode.
ROUTER
 A router is another network infrastructure
device that directs packets through the
network based on information from Network
Layer (Layer 3) of OSI model. A router uses a
combination of hardware and software to
"route" data from its source to its destination.
 A router can be configured to route data
packets from different network protocols, like
TCP/IP (industry standard), IPX/SPX, and
AppleTalk.
ROUTER
 A router is a networking device that
forwards data packets between
computer networks. Routers perform the
traffic directing functions on the
Internet. A data packet is typically
forwarded from one router to another
router through the networks that
constitute the internetwork until it
reaches its destination node.
GATEWAY
 A node on a network that serves as an
entrance to another network. In
enterprises, the gateway is the
computer that routes the traffic from a
workstation to the outside network that
is serving the Web pages. In homes, the
gateway is the ISP that connects the
user to the internet.