COMPUTER NETWORK TOPOLOGIES

A Network Topology is the arrangement with which computer systems or network devices are
connected to each other. Topologies may define both physical and logical aspect of the network.
Both logical and physical topologies could be same or different in a same network.
They include:

- bus
- star
- ring
- mesh
- tree
- hybrid

They are described as follows:

 Bus topology
– It’s a network architecture in which a set of clients are connected via a shared
communication line called a bus.
– It links a number of computers by a single circuit made of twisted wire, coaxial cable or
fiber optic cable.
– All the signals are broadcast in both directions to the entire network with special software
to identify which components receive each message (there is no central host computer to
control the network).
– The number of computers attached to the bus is directly proportional to network
performance i.e., as the number of computers increase, the response time of the network
reduces.
Advantages
- easy to implement and extend
- well suited for temporary networks (quick setup)
- typically, the cheapest topology to implement
- failure of one station does not affect others

Disadvantages
- difficult to troubleshoot or administer
- limited cable length and number of stations
- a cable break can disable the entire network
- if the ends of the cable are not terminated then the signal will not flow to its designated
point.
- maintenance cost may be higher in the long run
- performance degrades as additional computers are added or on heavy traffic
- low security (all computers on the bus can see all data transmission on the bus)
- proper termination is required (loop must be in closed path)

 Star topology
– Consists of a central host computer connected to a number of smaller computers or
terminals.
– It’s useful for applications where some processing must be centralized and some can be
performed locally.
– All communication between points in the network must pass through the central
computer.

Advantages
- easy to implement and extend even in large networks
- the failure of a non central node will not have major effects on the functionality of the
network
- no problems with collisions of data since each station has its own cable to the server/hub
- easier to diagnose network problems through the central hub

Disadvantages
- limited cable length and number of stations
- maintenance costs may be higher in the long run
- failure of the central node can disable the entire network

 Ring topology
– In this the connecting wires, cable or optical fiber forms a closed loop.
– Data are passed along the ring from one computer to another and always flows in one
direction.
– Each computer in the topology can communicate directly with any other computer and
processes its own applications independently.

The token ring network is a variant of the ring network. In token ring network, all devices
on the network communicate using a signal of ‘token’.
The token is a predefined packet of data which includes data indicating the sender,
receiver and whether the packet is in use. The tokens may contain a message or be empty.
A token moves from device to device in the network and each device examines the token
as it passes by. If the token contains data and is meant for that device, the device accepts
the data and marks the packet as empty.
If a computer wants to send a message, it finds an available token, supplies sender,
receiver and message data; loads the message onto the token and marks it as used. If no
message is pending, the token passes unchanged.
The token ring configuration is most useful for transmitting large volumes of data
between microcomputers or between micros and larger computer.

Advantage
- all stations have equal access
- each node on the ring acts as a repeater allowing ring networks to span greater distances
than other physical topologies
- because data travels in one direction high speeds of transmission of data are possible

Disadvantage
- it’s often the most expensive topology
 - if one node fails, the rest of the network could also fail
- damage to the ring will affect the whole network
- adding or removing components can disrupt the network

 Mesh topology
– Each and every computer is directly connected to the other.
– It allows for continuous connections and reconfiguration around blocked paths by
‘hopping’ from node to node until a connection can be established.
– They are self-healing i.e.; the network can still operate even when a node breaks down or
a connection goes bad. As a result, a very reliable network is formed.
– It differs from other topologies in that the component parts can all connect to each other.

Mesh technology comes into two types:

 Full Mesh: All hosts have a point-to-point connection to every other host in the network.
It provides the most reliable network structure among all network topologies.

 Partially Mesh: Not all hosts have point-to-point connection to every other host. Hosts
connect to each other in some arbitrarily fashion. This topology exists where we need to
provide reliability to some hosts out of all.

Advantages
 The use of dedicated links guarantees that each connection can carry its own data load,
thus eliminating the traffic problems that can occur when links must be shared by
multiple devices.
  A mesh topology is robust. If one link becomes unusable, it does not incapacitate the
entire system.
 There is the advantage of privacy or security. When every message travels along a
dedicated line, only the intended recipient sees it.
 Point-to-point links make fault identification and fault isolation easy.

Disadvantages
 Amount of cabling and the number of I/O ports required is high.
 The sheer bulk of the wiring can be greater than the available space (in walls, ceilings, or
floors) can accommodate.
 The hardware required to connect each link (I/O ports and cable) can be prohibitively
expensive.

Tree Topology
Also known as Hierarchical Topology, this is the most common form of network topology in
use presently. This topology imitates as extended Star topology and inherits properties of bus
topology.
This topology divides the network in to multiple levels/layers of network. Mainly in LANs, a
network is bifurcated into three types of network devices. The lowermost is access-layer where
computers are attached. The middle layer is known as distribution layer, which works as
mediator between upper layer and lower layer. The highest layer is known as core layer, and is
central point of the network, i.e., root of the tree from which all nodes fork.
All neighboring hosts have point-to-point connection between them. Similar to the Bus
topology, if the root goes down, then the entire network suffers even though it is not the single
point of failure. Every connection serves as point of failure, failing of which divides the
network into unreachable segment.

Advantages of Tree Topology

 Existing network can be easily expanded

 Point-to-point wiring for individual segments means easier installation and maintenance
 Well suited for temporary networks

Disadvantages of Tree Topology

 Technical expertise required to configure and wire tree topology

 Failure of backbone cable brings down entire network
 Insecure network
 Maintenance difficult for large networks

Hybrid Topology
A network structure whose design contains more than one topology is said to be hybrid
topology. Hybrid topology inherits merits and demerits of all the incorporating topologies.
The above picture represents an arbitrarily hybrid topology. The combining topologies may
contain attributes of Star, Ring, Bus, and Daisy-chain topologies. Most WANs are connected by
means of Dual-Ring topology and networks connected to them are mostly Star topology
networks. Internet is the best example of largest Hybrid topology.

Choice of a topology
The choice of a topology for setting up a computer network depends on the following:
- Cost − Installation cost is a very important factor in overall cost of setting up an
infrastructure. So, cable lengths, distance between nodes, location of servers, etc. have to
be considered when designing a network.
- Flexibility − Topology of a network should be flexible enough to allow reconfiguration
of office set up, addition of new nodes and relocation of existing nodes.
- Reliability − Network should be designed in such a way that it has minimum down time.
Failure of one node or a segment of cabling should not render the whole network useless.
- Scalability − Network topology should be scalable, i.e., it can accommodate load of new
devices and nodes without perceptible drop in performance.
- Ease of installation − Network should be easy to install in terms of hardware, software
and technical personnel requirements.
- Ease of maintenance − Troubleshooting and maintenance of network should be easy.