Types of Network Topologies

Network Topologies

Contents

•   Network?
•   Network Topology?
•   Types of Network Topologies?

Network

•  A network is a group of devices that are linked together through communication channels.

Network Topology

• Network topology refers to the arrangement of the computers or nodes of a network.

Network Topologies

Following are some types of network topologies.

1.   Bus Topology
2.   Ring Topology
3.   Mesh Topology
4.   Extended Star Topology
5.   Star Topology
6.   Tree Topology
7.   Hybrid Topology

Bus Topology

•   Simplest topology
•   All Computers are connected in series to a wire called bus.
•   Terminators are used to absorb unknown signals.
•   If bus fails, whole network gets down.

Ring Topology

•  Computers are connected in a ring like shape.
•   Token Passing scheme is used in it.
•   Its communication is slow.
•   If any computer fails, whole network gets down.

Star Topology

•  It is the most commonly used topology.
•   It is easily extendable.
•   If one computer gets fail, it does not effect the others.
•   If the central device gets fail, whole network gets down.

Extended Star Topology

•  When two or more star topologies are connected together, it becomes extended star topology.

Tree Topology

•  It is a combination of star and bus topology.
•   It is difficult to configure.
•   If bus gets fail, the entire segment goes down.
•   Mesh Topology
•   Multiple paths are available in it.
•   It is too much expensive.
•   Its configuration is difficult.
•   Its structure is complex.

Mesh Topology

•   Multiple paths are available in it.
•   It is too much expensive.
•   Its configuration is difficult.
•   Its structure is complex. 

Hybrid Topology

•   It is a combination of two or more different network topologies.