Network topology

Network topology

Rating:

The network topology is the pattern in which the network medium is connected to the computers and other networking components. The following are the major topologies associated with local area networking:

• Bus topology: Bus topology is a type of physical network design where all computers in the network are connected through a single coaxial cable known as a bus. This topology uses minimum cabling and is therefore the simplest and least expensive topology for small networks. In this topology, 50-ohm terminators terminate both ends of the network. A Bus topology network is difficult to troubleshoot, as a break or problem at any point along the cable can cause the entire network to go down.
  
  



• Ring topology: Ring topology is a type of physical network design where all computers in the network are connected in a closed loop. Each computer or device in a Ring topology network acts as a repeater. It transmits data by passing a token around the network in order to prevent the collision of data between two computers that want to send messages at the same time. If a token is free, the computer waiting to send data takes it, attaches the data and destination address to the token, and sends it. When the token reaches its destination computer, the data is copied. Then, the token gets back to the originator. The originator finds that the message has been copied and received and removes the message from the token. Now, the token is free and can be used by the other computers in the network to send data. In this topology, if one computer fails, the entire network goes down.
  
  


• Star topology:Star topology is a type of physical network design where each computer in the network is connected to a central device, called a hub, through an unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) wire. Signals from the sending computer go to the hub and are then transmitted to all the computers in the network. Since each workstation has a separate connection to the hub, it is easy to troubleshoot. Currently, it is the most popular topology used for networks.
  
  


• Mesh topology: Mesh topology is a type of physical network design where all devices in a network are connected to each other with many redundant connections. It provides multiple paths for the data traveling on the network to reach its destination. Mesh topology also provides redundancy in the network. It employs the full mesh and partial mesh methods to connect devices. In a full mesh topology network, each computer is connected to all the other computers. In a partial mesh topology network, some of the computers are connected to all the computers, whereas some are connected to only those computers with which they frequently exchange data.
  
  


• Wireless topology: Wireless topology is a type of physical network design where no cable is used as a network medium. The wireless topology eliminates the need for cables. A wireless LAN consists of a transceiver unit, called a wireless access point, that is connected to servers or directly to the network and other devices using a standard cabled network protocol, such as Ethernet or Token Ring. In the wireless network, client computers communicate with the network-attached transceivers by using their own transceivers. The most common wireless media are infrared light and radio waves.

Rating: