Network Topologies

Hi All,

      Let's discuss today, about Network Topologies i.e. how devices within network are connected & how they can communicate with each other,

There are basically 2 ways to define network topologies:-

1     Physical Topology – This defines Actual Layout of Wires or Media.

2     Logical Topology – It define, how Media is accessed by Host for Transmitting    

      

      Below are the Different Topologies, by which Network can be Connected :

Bus Topology – This is the Simplest one i.e. In this, there is Single Backbone Cable which terminates at both end & all devices (computers, printers, laptops, etc.) are connected to this Cable. 
Advantage – 1) Easy to Connect any Device 2) Comparatively requires Less Cable Length. 
Disadvantage – 1) If Backbone cable Breaks, Entire Network Shut Down 2) Termination required at both end 3) Difficult to diagnose the Fault.

 ·        Ring Topology – In this each computer are connected to its previous & next computer, to form a path for data transmission like a Ring.

Advantage – 1) Organized 2) It doesn’t requires any Network Server for data transmission 3) Easy to identify the issue, when whole network goes down 4) chances of Collision are very Less.

Disadvantage – 1) Only 1 machine can transfer at a time 2) Each Data Packet must pass through each computer, whether they require or not, which makes it slow w.r.t. Star Topology 3) If 1 Machine fails, whole network is Down.

 Star Topology – As the name implies, it resembles STAR, in this each machine is connected to a central HUB & each machine has to pass through this HUB for data transmission among them. The HUB acts as Signal Booster or Repeater.

Advantage – 1) Easy to Install & Configure 2) Easy to Add or Remove Devices 3) Doesn’t impacts network, if any link goes down.

Disadvantage – 1) if HUB fails, whole network goes down 2) More expansive & more cable required than Bus Topology.

        Mesh Topology – This Provides maximum protection from Service Interruption, as in this, all machines are connected to each other which provides multiple routes to each machine.

Advantage – 1) Maximum Protection 2) Able to transmit data from one node to multiple node at a time 3) If 1 nodes fails, than there are alternate path for data transfer 4) Expansion or removal of nodes can be easily done, without disrupting other nodes. 5) Point-to-point link make fault identification and fault isolation easy.

Disadvantage – 1) Costly 2) Redundant paths, which may be of no use, from each node. 3) Network is Very Complex, hence maintenance is very tough. 

Tree Topology – It’s a Hybrid Topology i.e. Combination of Star & Bus Topologies, in which group of nodes are connected like in STAR topology & than many Stars-Connected Network are connected to each other via Main Bus.

Advantage – 1) Good Choice for Large Networks 2) Expansion & Management of Network is Easy 3) If one Segment is down, it doesn’t affect others.

Disadvantage – 1) If Central Bus goes down, whole network breaks. 2) Maintenance becomes difficult as the Network Grows. 

Keep checking for new posts till than HaPyYyYy Reading.

Comments are most Welcomed.

ChEeeeeeRs..
Telecom Tigers Team 
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