Network Topologies

Topology refers to the shape of a network, or the network's layout. How different nodes in a network are connected to each other and how they communicate are determined by the network's topology. Topologies are either physical or logical. Below are diagrams of the five most common network topologies.

Mesh Topology                                                        

Devices are connected with many redundant interconnections between network nodes.

In the mesh topology, each node has a direct point-to-point link to every other node. Since all connections are ready, the network can handle the large amount of traffic. It is also stable because if a connection fails, the other will remain intact. Safety is also high because the data travel through a dedicated connection.

This type of topology requires a lot of cables and  therefore expensive. Many of these compounds are also superfluous because there are several paths for data from one node to another.

Star Topology                                                                     

                                                          

In star topology , all devices are connected to a central hub. Nodes communicate across the network by passing data through the hub. The central hub a computer server that manages the network, or it can be a much simpler device that only makes the connection between computers in the network.

Star topology is very popular because the startup costs are low. It is also easy to create new nodes to the network. The network is stable in the sense that a failure as a connection between a computer and the hub, the other connections remain intact. If the central hub fails throughout the network goes down. It also requires cable than bus topology and therefore is more expensive.

Bus Topology                                                               

Bus topology is a network type in which every computer and network device is connected to single cable to a central cable, called the bus or backbone. The bus topology is easy to connect to a computer or peripheral device. The Cable required is least compared to other network topology, results in lower costs.

A disadvantage is that if the main cable breaks, the entire network goes down . This type of network is also difficult to solve. Therefore, such a topology is not for large networks, such as an entire building.

Ring Topology                                                          

All devices are connected to one another in the shape of a closed loop, so that each device is connected directly to two other devices, one on either side of it.

Each computer is connected directly to the next computer, a single route signals over the network. This network is easy to install and manage.

If there is a network problem, it is easy to determine which connection is defective. It is good for handling large volumes of traffic over long distances, because every computer can act as a signal amplifier as well. On the other hand, the addition of computers in this type of network is more difficult, and falls out as a single computer, the whole network goes down.

 Tree Topology                                                      

It has a root node and all other nodes are connected to it forming a hierarchy. It is also called hierarchical topology. It should at least have three levels to the hierarchy.

Hybrid Topology

 Hybrid Topology is a mixture of two or more topologies. For example if in an office in one  department ring topology is used and in another star topology is used, connecting these topologies will result in Hybrid Topology (ring topology and star topology).