Network Topology
What is Network Topology?
A computer network is a collection of
two or more computers which are
connected together to share
information and resources.
Types Of Topology
Based on Based on
geographical Architecture
area covered
Bus Topology
Local Area Star Topology
Network (LAN)
Ring Topology
Metropolitan Area
Network (MAN) Tree Topology
Mesh Topology
Wide Area
Network(WAN) Hybrid Topology
Bus Topology
A Bus topology consists of a single cable—called
a bus— connecting all nodes on a network
without intervening connectivity devices
Advantages of Bus Topology
• Works well for small networks.
• Relatively inexpensive to implement.
• Easy to expand joining two cables together.
• Used in small network.
Coaxial
cable
Network Card
Disadvantages of
Bus Topology
• Management costs can be high
• Cables fails then whole network fails.
• Cables has a limited length.
Star Topology
A star network is designed with each
node (file server, workstation, peripheral)
connected directly to a central network
hub or server.
Advantages of Star Topology
• Good option for modern
networks
• Low startup costs
• Easy to manage
• Offers opportunities for
expansion
• Most popular topology in
use wide variety of
equipment available
Disadvantages of
Star Topology
• Hub is a single point of failure
• Requires more cable than the bus
• Cost of installation is high.
Hub
Ring topology
A ring network is one where all
workstations and other devices are
connected in a continuous loop. There is
no central server.
Advantages of Ring Topology
• Easier to manage; easier
to locate a defective node
or cable problem
• Well-suited for
transmitting signals over
long distances on a LAN
• Handles high-volume
network traffic
Disadvantages of
Ring Topology
• Expensive
• Requires more cable and
network equipment at the
start
• Not used as widely as bus
topology
– Fewer equipment options
– Fewer options for expansion
to high-speed
communication
Tree topology
• It has a root node and
all other nodes are
connected to it
forming a hierarchy. It
is also called
Hierarchical Topology.
Advantages Of Tree Topology
• Extension of Bus and Star Topology.
• Expansion of nodes is possible and easy.
• Easily managed and maintained.
Disadvantages Of Tree Topology
• Heavily cabled.
• Costly.
• If more nodes are added maintenance is
difficult.
• Central hub fails, network fails.
Mesh Topology
It is a point-to-point connection to other
nodes or devices. Traffic is carried only
between two devices or nodes to which it
is connected. Mesh has n(n-2)/2 physical
channels to link hn devices.
Advantages Of Mesh
Topology
• Each connection can carry its own data
load.
• Fault is diagnosed easily.
• Provide security and privacy.
Disadvantage of mesh
topology
• Installation and configuration is difficult.
• Cabling cost is more.
• Bulk wiring is required.
Hybrid Topology
It is the mixture of two or more topologies.
Therefore it is called Hybrid topology. A
hybrid topology combines characteristics
of linear bus and star and/or ring
topologies.
Star-Wired Bus
Advantages of hybrid
topology
• Reliable as error detecting and trouble
shooting is easy.
• Effective.
• Scalable as size can be increased easily.
• Flexible.
Star-Wired Ring
Disadvantages Of Hybrid Topology
• Complex in design.
• Costly.
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