Network Topology

Computer System Servicing

Grade 11 - Marcos
 Network Topology
• Network – refers to the set of devices (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 devices on the network.

• Topology – refers to the manner in which the network of

computers is connected. Each topology is suited to specific
tasks and has its own benefits and drawbacks. The choice of
topology is dependent upon type of application, number of
equipment being used, rate of data transfer required,
response time, and cost.
Network Topology - Approaches
• Physical – The physical network topology refers to the actual
connections (wires, cables, etc.) of how the network is
arranged. Setup, maintenance, and provisioning tasks require
insight into the physical network.

• Logical – The logical network topology is a higher-

level idea of how the network is set up, including which nodes
connect to each other and in which ways, as well as how data
is transmitted through the network. Logical network topology
includes any virtual and cloud resources.
 Network Topology - Types

The word network topology is used to explain the manner in

which a network is physically connected. The aim is to
exchange the data such as text, audio/video, and images
from one point to another.
 “Point To Point” Topology

The simplest topology that connects two nodes directly together

with a common link. The entire bandwidth of the common link
is reserved for transmission between those two nodes. The
point-to-point connections use an actual length of wire or
cable to connect the two ends, but other options, such as
satellite links, or microwaves are also possible.
When you change TV channels by remote, you are establishing a point-to
point connection between the remote control and the TV’s control system.
 “Point To Point” Advantages
• Highest Bandwidth because there is only two nodes having
entire bandwidth of a link

• Very fast compared to other network topologies because it can

access only two nodes.

• Very simple connectivity

• It provides low Latency

• Easy to handle and maintain

• Node Can be Replaced in few seconds

 “Point To Point” Disadvantages
• This topology is only used for small areas where nodes are
closely located.

• The entire network depends on the common channel in case

of link broken entire network will become dead.

• There is another major drawback of this topology there are

only two nodes if any of the node stops working, data cannot
be transfer across the network.
 “Bus” Topology

A bus topology consists of a single cable with the terminator at

each end. All present nodes are connected to the single cable.
There is no limit to the no: of nodes that can be attached to this
network, but the no: of connected nodes can actually affect the
performance of the network.
 “Bus” Topology
In a bus topology, one of the nodes acts as the server and
transmits the data from one end to the other in a single direction.
When the data reaches the extreme end, the terminator removes
the data from the line.
In a bus topology, one main cable acts as the backbone for the entire network.
 The bus topology carries the transmitted data along the cable. As the data
reaches each node, the node checks the destination address (MAC/IP
address) to see if it matches their address. If the address doesn’t match, the
node does nothing more. But if the node addresses match to the address
contained in the data then they process on the information.

The Backbone cable in the bus topology depends on the type of network card
used in each computer, an RJ-45 network cable or coaxial cable is used to
connect them together.
 “Bus” Advantages
• Easy to connect or remove devices in a network without
affecting any other device.

• In case of any computer or device failure, there will be no

effect on other devices or network.

• Cable cost is less as compared to other network topology i.e.

mesh and star.

• It is easy to understand topology.

• Easy to expand by joining two cables together

 “Bus” Disadvantages
• In the case of any device failure, it is difficult to find faults in a
network.

• If the backbone cable damages the entire system/network will

fail.

• If network traffic increases or devices increase, the performance

of the network decreases.

• It is slower because one computer transmits at a time.

• It provides very low security because all the computers receive

the sent signal from the source.

• The length of cable is limited

 “Ring” Topology

Each device/node is connected with its neighboring node

forming the shape of ring hence it is known as Ring Topology. In
ring topology the data circulate from one computer to another.
 The flow of the data in ring topology can be uni-directional or bi-
directional.
 “Ring” Topology
A Uni-directional ring topology can transfer data in either
clockwise or counter clockwise direction. thus, a uni-
direction ring topology can be called as Half-duplex network
whereas a Bi-directional ring topology can transfer and receive
data at the same time. Thus, a bidirectional ring topology can be
called as full duplex network.

The data flow in the ring topology is based on the Token Passing principal,
The token is passed from one computer to the next, only the computer with
the token can transmit. The receiving computer takes the data from the token
and sends the token back to the sending computer with an acknowledgment
signal. After verification, the token is regenerated.
 “Ring” Advantages
• Flow of data is in circular direction which minimizes the
chance of packet collision.

• The uni-directional ring topology provides very high speed.

• It has better performance than bus topology, even when the

nodes are increased.

• Ring network can handle high volume of nodes in a network

(Robust).

• It can handle heavy traffic as compared to bus topology due to

Token passing principal.
 “Ring” Advantages
• Ring topology provides good communication over a long
distance.

• The maintenance of ring network is much easier compared to

the bus network.

• There is no need of network server to control the flow of data.

• Troubleshooting in ring network is much easier because cable

faults can be easily located.

• Ring network is less costly compared to the other topologies.

 “Ring” Disadvantages
• A single break in the cable can cause disturbance in the entire
network

• In Uni-directional Ring, a data packet (token) must pass

through all the nodes.

• Addition and removal of any node in a network is difficult and

can cause issue in network activity.

• Ring network is much slower than Ethernet network under

normal load conditions.
 “Star” Topology

All the computers are connected to the central located device

called as hub. All the devices on the network are connected with
a hub device through a communication link. Each computer
requires a single wire for the connection to the hub.
 “Star” Topology
In star Topology, there exists a point-to-point connection between
a node and hub device. The hub device takes a signal from any
node and passes it to all the other nodes in the network. The hub
works as a server and it controls and manages entire function of
the network.

If one host needs to send data to some other host, it will send the message to
the central connecting hub device. The central connecting hub device then
replicates the message and forwards it on to the appropriate host.
 “Star” Advantages
• Easy to manage and maintain the network because each node
require separate cable.

• Easy to locate problems because cable failure only affect a single

user.

• Easy to extend the network without disturbing to the entire

network

• Due to Hub device network control and management is much

easier.

• Fault identification and removing nodes in a network is easy.

• It provides very high speed of data transfer.

 “Star” Disadvantages
• Entire performance of the network depends on the single
device hub.

• If the hub device goes down, the entire network will be dead.

• Star topology requires more wires compared to the ring and

bus topology.
 “Mesh” Topology
All the computers are inter-connected to each other in a network.
Each computer not only sends its own signals but also relays
data from other computers. This type of topology is very
expensive as Its very difficult to establish the connections of
the mesh topology. In a Mesh topology every node has a point-
to-point connection to the other node. The connections in the
mesh topology can be wired or wireless.

It is divided in two types:

• Fully Connected

• Partially Connected
 Fully Connected “Mesh” Topology

A fully connected mesh topology has all the computers

connected to every other computer. Full Mesh is a network in
which devices are organized in a mesh topology.
 Fully Connected “Mesh” Topology
A full mesh topology provides a great deal of redundancy,
but because it can be prohibitively expensive to implement,
it is usually reserved for network backbones. Even after
considering the cost and the redundancy factor of this
network, its main advantage is that the network traffic can
be redirected to other nodes if one of the nodes goes
down.

Full mesh network is used only for backbone networks.

 Partially Connected “Mesh” Topology

Partial Mesh topology is more practical as compared to full mesh

topology. In partially connected mesh topology, all the nodes are
not necessary to be connected with each other in a network.
This partial mesh topology is less costly compared to full mesh
topology and also it reduces the redundancy.
 “Mesh” Advantages
• There is no traffic problem as there are dedicated point to
point links for each computer.

• It has multiple links, so if one route is blocked then other can

be accessed for data communication.

• It provides high privacy and security.

• Fault identification is easy because of point-to-point

connection.
 “Mesh” Disadvantages
• Mesh topology requires high NO: of cables and I/o ports for
the communication.

• Installation is very difficult in mesh topology, as each node is

connected to every node.

• Mesh topology is costly compared to the other.

 “Tree” Topology

All the computer are connected like the branches of a tree. In

Computer Networking, tree topology is known as a combination
of a Bus and Start network topology. The main advantages of
this topology are better flexibility and scalability.
 “Tree” Topology
Tree network topology is the simplest topology in which only one
route exists between any two nodes on the network. The pattern
of connection resembles a tree in which all branches spring from
one root hence (Tree Topology).

Tree Topology integrates the characteristics of Star and Bus

topology. In our previous article, we saw how in Star Topology,
computers are connected by each other through the central hub.
And we also saw in Bus Topology, Computers are connected by
the common cable called Bus. After understanding these two
network configurations, we can easily understand the working
and construction of tree topology.
 “Tree” Topology

The number of Star networks are connected using Bus. This

main cable seems like the main route of a tree, and other star
networks as the branches. It is also called Expanded Star
Topology.
 “Tree” Advantages
• It is a combination of bus and star topology.

• It provides high scalability, as leaf nodes can add more nodes

in the hierarchical chain.

• Other nodes in a network are not affected, if one of their nodes

get damaged

• It provides easy maintenance and fault identification.

• Supported by several hardware and software vendors.

• Point-to-point wiring for individual segments.

 “Tree” Disadvantages
• Large cabling is required as compared to star and bus
topology.

• On the failure of a hub, the entire network fails.

• Tree network is very difficult to configure than other network

topologies.
 “Hybrid” Topology

Hybrid topology is a combination of more than two topologies. 

In computer networking, a network structure that contains more
than two topologies is known as hybrid topology. It inherits the
advantages and disadvantages of included topologies.
 “Hybrid” Topology
For example, if there is a Mesh topology in one office department
while a Ring topology in another department, connecting these
two with bus topology will result in Hybrid topology. Combination
of Star-Ring and Star-Bus networks are the most common
examples of the hybrid network topology.

There are different types of hybrid network topologies depending

on the basic requirement of an organization but the most
commonly used one is Star-Ring and Star-Bus topologies that
make up the hybrid.
 Star-Ring “Hybrid” Topology

A set of star topologies are connected with a ring topology as the

adjoining topology. Joining each star topology to the ring
topology is a wired connection.
 Star-Ring “Hybrid” Topology
Information from a given star topology reaching a connecting
node in the main ring topology and the data can flow either in a
bidirectional or unidirectional manner. A uni-directional ring
topology can transfer data in either clockwise or counter
clockwise direction. thus, a uni-direction ring topology is a half-
duplex, whereas a Bi-directional ring topology can transfer and
receive data at the same time. Thus, a bidirectional ring
topology can be called a full-duplex network.
 Star-Bus “Hybrid” Topology

The combination of star network topology and bus network

topology, in Star-Bus network a set of star topologies are
interconnected by a central bus network. Joining each star
topology to the bus topology results the Star-Bus topology.
 “Hybrid” Advantages
• Hybrid network combines the benefits of different types of
topologies.

• Can be modified as per requirement.

• It is extremely flexible.

• It is very reliable.

• It is easily scalable.
 “Hybrid” Disadvantages
• It is expensive.

• The design of a hybrid network is complex.

• Hardware changes are required in order to connect topology to

another topology.
END