Network Topology

The arrangement or connection patterns of computers or nodes or devices used in the network is known as network topology. There are five types of common network topology:

1. Bus topology
2. Star Topology
3. Ring topology
4. Mesh Topology
5. Hybrid Topology

Bus Topology

In this topology, all the computers are connected to a single cable.

Advantages:

1. It is inexpensive and easy to install because all the computers in the network are attached to one single cable.
2. The failure of one computer does not affect the performance of the rest of the networks
3. Computers may be easily added or removed from the network.

Disadvantages

1. If a problem arises at any point of the cable, the entire network goes down.
2. It tends to slow down under a heavy load.
3. In this topology, troubleshooting could be difficult.

Star Topology

In this topology, all the computers are connected to switch/hub.

Advantages:

1. It is easy to add or remove computers from this topology.
2. If one link fails in the network, the other workstations are not affected.
3. It is more reliable.
4. In this topology, very high transmission rates are possible.

Disadvantages:

1. It the central switch/hub fails, the whole network goes down.
2. Long cable length is required since each device is directly connected to the hub/switch.
3. It may be costly to install since long length cable is required.

Ring topology

In this topology, all the computers or devices are connected to each other in a closed loop by single communication cable. Data transfer takes place in one direction from one node to another around the ring. It is also called loop network.

Advantages:

1. Each computer does not have to depend on the central device as each computer controls transmission to and from itself.
2. It has short cable connection which increases network reliability.
3. It supports very high data transmission rate.

Disadvantages:

1. It is difficult to change network structure.
2. If a single computer fails, at least a portion of the network won't work.

Mesh Topology

It is a point to point connection between every device in the network.

Advantages:

1. Failure of a device does not affect the data transmission to the destination device.
2. Easy to troubleshoot

Disadvantages:

1. It is difficult to set up.
2. It is more expensive than other topology.