What is Network Topology in English
Network Topology
Topology defines the structure of the network, and how the components interconnect with each other. There are 5 types of topology.
- BUS TOPOLOGY
- RING TOPOLOGY
- STAR TOPOLOGY
- TREE TOPOLOGY
- MESH TOPOLOGY
BUS TOPOLOGY
The bus topology is designed in such a way that all the stations are connected through a single cable. Coaxial and twisted pair cables are mainly used in bus topology. At the beginning and end of this cable, there is a device called a terminator. The function of the terminator is used to control the signal.
The 802.3 (ethernet) and 802.4 standard networks are mainly used in the bus topology.
Bus topology is quite simple as compared to other topologies. CSMA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access) is the most common access method of bus topology.
Advantage :
- Cable is used in comparison to star and tree topology in bus topology.
- The bus topology is very easy to instll and has a low instalation cost.
Disadvantage:
- If a fault occurs in the cable, it will disrupt communication for all nodes.
- Adding new devices to the network will slow down the network.
RING TOPOLOGY
Ring topology is like bus topology but in a ring topology, the ends are interconnected i.e. it does not have any terminated ends.
In-ring topology, the data flow is in one direction i.e., it is unidirectional. In-ring topology, data flows in a clockwise direction.
Token passing is the most common access method of the ring topology.
Advantage :
- Twisted pair cabling is cheap and easily available. Therefore its instllation cost is very low.
- It is a reliable network because the communication system is not dependent on any single host computer.
- There are many hardware and software tools available for network operation and monitoring.
Disadvantage:
- Adding new devices to the network will reduce the speed of the network.
- It requires specialized equipment to determine cable faults.
STAR TOPOLOGY
There is a host (computer, switch, hub) in Star Topology. Another device or computer is connected to this host or central computer. Other devices are connected to the host via coaxial cable and RJ-45 cable. Star Topology is the most popular Topology in network implementation.
TREE TOPOLOGY
Tree topology is a combination of bus topology and star topology. Tree topology is a type of structure in which all computers are connected with each other in a hierarchical fashion.
Advantage :
- Tree topology is mainly used to provide broadband transmission, i.e., signals are sent over long distances.
- Error detection and error correction are very easy in a tree topology.
- Tree topology has point-to-point wiring for individual segments.
- The breakdown of one station does not affect the entire network.
Disadvantage :
- A tree topology mainly depends on the main bus cable and damage to the main bus cable will damage the pure network.
- If new devices are added, it becomes difficult to reconfigure.
MESH TOPOLOGY
In Mesh Topology, all the devices/computers are connected to each other somewhere. There is no host in this topology i.e. it does not have switches, hubs, or any central computer which acts as the central point of communication.
Mesh topology is mainly used for WAN implementations where communication failures are a significant concern.
Mesh topology is divided into two categories.
1. Fully connected mesh Topology 2. Partially connected mesh topology
