A network topology is the physical and logical arrangement of different switches, routers, software, and connections in a network.
Table of Contents
There are various types of network topologies such as :
- Mesh topology
- Star topology
- Bus topology
- Ring topology
1. Mesh Topology
Mesh technology is a network configuration in which machines are linked to one another by numerous redundant connections. There are multiple paths from one computer to another computer.
Advantages
- Each link carries its own data load.
- Privacy /security
- More robust.
- Fault identification /fault isolation is easy.
Disadvantage
- Amount of cabling / IO ports required.
- Installation and reconnection are difficult.
- The hardware required to connect each link can be prohibitively expensive.
FIG : Mesh Topology
2. Star Topology
Star topology is an arrangement of the network in which every node is connected to the central hub, switch or a central computer. Coaxial cables or RJ-45 cables are used to connect the computers. In Star Topology, many popular Ethernet LAN protocols are used as CD(Collision Detection), CSMA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access), etc.
Advantages
- Each device needs only one link and one I/O port.
- Easy Installation and reconnection.
- Less expensive.
- More robust(one link fails only that link is affected)
- Fault identification /fault isolation is easy.
Disadvantages
- Dependency of the whole topology on one single point
- The Hub goes down whole system is dead.
- Used in LAN.
FIG : Star topology
3. Bus Topology
Bus Topology is a network type in which every computer and network device is connected to a single cable. It is a multi-point, bi-directional connection that is not robust since it crashes if the backbone fails. LAN ethernet connections using Bus Topology adhere to a number of MAC (Media Access Control) protocols, including TDMA, Pure Aloha, CDMA, Slotted Aloha, etc.
Advantages
- Ease installation
- Less cabling
Disadvantages
- Difficult to add new devices
- difficult Fault identification /fault isolation
- A fault or break in bus cable stops all transmission.
- Signal reflection at the taps can cause degradation in quality.
- Used in LAN.
FIG : Bus topology
4. Ring Topology
In a Ring topology , it forms a ring connecting devices with exactly two neighboring devices. The node that receives the message from the previous computer will retransmit to the next node. The data flows in one direction, i.e., it is unidirectional.
Advantages
- Easy Installation and reconfigure.
- Fault isolation simplified.
- Add or delete a device require changing only two connection.
Disadvantage
- Unidirectional traffic can be a disadvantage.
- A break or disabled station can disable the entire network.
- Used in LAN.
FIG : Ring topology
Difference between Mesh, Star, Bus, and Ring topologies of network
| Topology | Mesh | Star | Bus | Ring |
| Connectivity | Full Mesh (Each device directly connects to all others) | Central Hub (All devices connect to a central hub) | Linear (All devices connect to a central cable) | Circular (Each device connects to exactly two others) |
| Redundancy | High (Multiple paths between devices, high fault tolerance) | Low (Single point of failure – the central hub) | Low (Single cable failure can disrupt the entire network) | Medium (Dual ring can provide redundancy) |
| Scalability | Limited (The number of connections increase rapidly with the number of devices) | Moderate (Additional devices connect to the central hub) | High (Additional devices can be easily added) | Limited (The number of devices in the ring affects performance) |
| Complexity | High (Requires more cabling and configuration) | Low (Simple setup, easy to manage) | Low (Simple setup, easy to manage) | Moderate (Ring management and token passing) |
| Performance | High (Multiple simultaneous data paths) | Medium (Depends on the central hub’s capacity) | Medium (Shared bandwidth) | Medium (Depends on the ring’s capacity) |
| Cost | High (Requires more cabling and ports) | Moderate (Moderate cabling and single hub) | Low (Less cabling and no central hub) | Moderate (Dual ring and more cabling) |
| Common Use | Backbone networks, critical systems | Home networks, small offices | Small networks, used in LANs | Token Ring LANs (rarely used today) |
| Examples | Internet, military networks | Home Wi-Fi networks | Ethernet, USB | Medium (Depends on The central hub’s capacity) |
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