NETWORKS 1A

STUDY UNIT 3: UNDERSTANDING NETWORK CABLING

Learning objectives

• Explain the different types of network topologies, their

advantages and disadvantages
• Identify and outline the different types of cables used in
networking.

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Understanding Network Topologies

• The word topology basically means shape, and the term

network topology refers to the shape of a network—how all of
the nodes (points) of a network are wired together.

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Bus Topology

• A bus topology, is a network where a single network cable is

used from one end of the network to the other, with different
network devices (called nodes) connected to the cable at
different locations.

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The advantages of Bus Topology

 It is the easiest network topology for connecting peripherals or

computers in a linear fashion.
 It works very efficiently well when there is a small network.
 The length of cable required is less than a star topology.
 It is easy to connect or remove devices in this network without
affecting any other device.
 Very cost-effective as compared to other network topology i.e. mesh
and star
 It is easy to understand topology.
 Easy to expand by joining the two cables together.

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The disadvantages of Bus Topology

 Bus topology is not great for large networks.

 Identification of problems becomes difficult if the whole network goes
down.
 Troubleshooting individual device issues is very hard.
 Need terminators are required at both ends of the main cable.
 Additional devices slow the network down.
 If the main cable is damaged, the whole network fails or splits into
two.
 Packet loss is high.
 This network topology is very slow as compared to other topologies.
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Star Topology

• A star topology is one in which a central unit, called a hub,

hosts a set of network cables that radiate out to each node on
the network.

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The advantages of Star Topology

• Without affecting the rest of the network, the new nodes can
be added easily to the star topology.
• We can also easily remove the components in a star topology.
• It also becomes easier to replace a damaged unit to maintain
our productivity levels.
• The network is monitored with the help of a centralized
management system using the hub or a central computer.
• It is reliable. When a device or a cable fails, then the other
devices which are connected to it will Work.
• Hence the rest of the network is not affected by the failure of
one node or link.
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The advantages of Star Topology

• Easily manageable. Within the star topology, fault detection is

easily manageable.
• It is because the link is often easily identified. On the other
hand, in the star topology, troubleshooting and detecting
failure is very easy.

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The disadvantages of Star Topology

• High cost. Within the star topology implementation of a

router or switch, it's very costly, especially when using a router
or a switch as the central network device.
• Central device Dependency. Within the star topology,
when a hub malfunctions, then everything goes down
because no devices can work without a hub. The main
negative point in this whole network is when the
central device goes down or fails, the whole system
goes down.
• High maintenance. Within the star topology, regular
maintenance and more resources are required by the
hub because it is the central system of the star
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Ring Topology

• A ring topology is a network in which each node connects to

exactly two other nodes, forming a single continuous pathway
for signals through each node.

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Advantages of Ring Topology

 In this data flows in one direction which reduces the chance of

packet collisions.
 In this topology additional workstations can be added without
impacting performance of the network.
 Equal access to the resources.
 There is no need of server to control the connectivity among the
nodes in the topology.
 It is cheap to install and expand.
 Speed to transfer the data is very high in this type of topology.
 Easy to manage.

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Disadvantages of Ring Topology

 Due to the Uni-directional Ring, a data packet (token) must have to

pass through all the nodes.
 If one workstation shuts down, it affects whole network or if a node
goes down entire network goes down.
 It is slower in performance as compared to the bus topology
 It is Expensive.
 Addition and removal of any node during a network is difficult and
may cause issue in network activity.
 In order for all the computers to communicate with each other, all
computer must be turned on.
 Total dependence in on one cable.
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Mesh Topology

• In this type of topology, a host is connected to one or multiple

hosts. This topology has hosts in point-to-point connection
with every other host or may also have hosts which are in
point-to-point connection with few hosts only.

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Advantages of Mesh Topology

 Failure during a single device won’t break the network.

 There is no traffic problem as there is a dedicated point to point links
for every computer.
 Fault identification is straightforward.
 This topology provides multiple paths to succeed in the destination
 It provides high privacy and security.
 Data transmission is more consistent because failure doesn’t disrupt
its processes.
 Adding new devices won’t disrupt data transmissions.
 A mesh doesn’t have a centralized authority.
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Disadvantages of Mesh Topology

 It’s costly as compared to the opposite network topologies

 Installation is extremely difficult in the mesh.
 Power requirement is higher as all the nodes will need to remain
active all the time and share the load.
 The cost to implement mesh is above other selections.
 Maintenance needs are challenging with a mesh.

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Tree Topology

• A tree topology is a special type of structure where many

connected elements are arranged like the branches of a tree.
• For example, tree topologies are frequently used to organize
the computers in a corporate network.

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Advantages of Tree Topology

 The other nodes in a network are not affected if one of their nodes
gets damaged or does not work.
 Tree topology provides easy maintenance and easy fault
identification can be done.
 Supported by several hardware and software vendors.
 Tree Topology is highly secure.
 It is used in WAN.
 Tree Topology is reliable.

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Disadvantages of Tree Topology

 This network is very difficult to configure as compared to the other

network topologies.
 Due to the presence of a large number of nodes, the network
performance of tree topology becomes a bit slow.
 If the computer on the first level is erroneous, the next-level
computer will also go under problems.
 Requires a large number of cables compared to star and ring
topology.
 The Backbone appears as the failure point of the entire segment of
the network.
 If the bulk of nodes is added to this network, then the maintenance
will become complicated. 19
Hybrid Topology

• A hybrid topology is a type of network topology that uses

two or more differing network topologies. These topologies
can include a mix of bus topology, mesh topology, ring
topology, star topology, and tree topology.
• The choice to use a hybrid topology over a standard topology
depends on the needs of a business, school, or the users. The
number of computers, their location, and desired network
performance are all factors in the decision.

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Advantages of Hybrid Topology

 This type of topology combines the benefits of different types of

topologies in one topology.
 It is extremely flexible.
 It is very reliable.
 Error detecting and troubleshooting are easy.
 Handles a large volume of traffic.
 It is used to create large networks.
 The speed of the topology becomes fast when two topologies are put
together.

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Disadvantages of Hybrid Topology

 This type of network is expensive.

 The design of a hybrid network is very complex.
 Usually, hybrid architectures are larger in scale so they require a lot
of cables in the installation process.
 Installation is a difficult process.

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Basic cable types

• The most common network cable types are Twisted pair

cables (unshielded twisted-pair and Shielded Twisted Pair)
coaxial, and fiber optic.

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Unshielded Twisted-Pair (UTP)

• UTP is by far the most common type in use today.

• UTP cable consists of two or more pairs of plastic-insulated
conductors inside a cable sheath (made from either vinyl or
Teflon).

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Shielded Twisted-Pair (STP)

• A type of copper telephone wiring in which each of the two

copper wires that are twisted together are coated with an
insulating coating that functions as a ground for the wires.
• STP cabling often is used in Ethernet networks.

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Advantages of Twisted-Pair (STP)

 It’s relatively easy to implement and terminate.

 If portion of a twisted pair cable is broken it doesn’t effect the whole
network.
 Less vulnerable to electrical interference caused by nearby
equipment or wires.
 Best performance in short distances.
 The twisted-pair cable is low in weight.
 Twisted pair cable is flexible to use
 Twisted Pair cable is easy to connect.

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Disadvantages of Twisted-Pair (STP)

 Attenuation is very high.

 It provides poor security and is relatively easy to tap.
 As they a thin so they can be easily breakable.
 Low durability (must be maintained regularly).

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Coaxial Cable

• A coaxial -- or coax -- cable is primarily used by cable TV

companies to connect their satellite antenna facilities to
customer homes and businesses.

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Advantages of Coaxial Cable

• Coaxial cables support high bandwidth.

• It is easy to install.
• They are more reliable and durable.

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Disadvantages of Coaxial Cable

• Coaxial cables are expensive.

• The coaxial cable must be grounded in order to prevent any
crosstalk.
• They are very bulky.

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Fiber optic cable

• A fiber optic cable is a network cable that contains strands of

glass fibers inside an insulated casing.
• They're designed for long-distance, high-performance data
networking, and telecommunications.
• Compared to wired cables, fiber optic cables provide higher
bandwidth and transmit data over longer distances. Fiber
optic cables support much of the world's internet, cable
television, and telephone systems.

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Advantages of Fiber optic cable

 Bandwidth is above copper cables

 Less power loss and allows data transmission for extended distances
 Installation is extremely easy thanks to less weight.
 Optical fiber cable is extremely hard to tap because they don’t
produce electromagnetic energy. These optical fiber cables are very
secure for transmitting data.

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Disadvantages of Fiber optic cable

 These cables are highly vulnerable while fitting

 These cables are more delicate than copper wires.
 Special devices are needed to ascertain transmission of fiber cable.
 . It needs costly splicing machines and trained specialists to place in
fiber optic cables.

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Review questions

 What is a network topology?

 List the different types of network topologies.
 List the 3 types of network cables

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