CDCS – Types of Network Topology

Types of Network Topology

Network topology can be defined as an arrangement of a network that comprises nodes and connecting lines via sender and receiver. 

The types of network topology are as follows:

Mesh Topology

Mesh topology refers to an arrangement of the network where every device is connected with the other device via a particular channel. 

Advantages of Mesh Topology are as follows:

1. Mesh Topology is robust.
2. In a mesh topology, the fault is easily diagnosable.
3. It provides security and privacy.

Disadvantages of Mesh Topology are as follows:

1. The installation and configuration are difficult.
2. The maintenance cost is very high.
3. It is suitable for only a limited number device as it needs bulk wiring and the cost of cables are high.

Star Topology

Star topology refers to the arrangement of a network where all the devices are connected to a single hub through a cable. 

The single hub is known as the central node. The central node can be passive in nature, or an active hub. The active hubs have repeaters in them.

Advantages of Star Topology are as follows:

1. If there are a certain number of devices, the number of cables is equal to the number of devices. Which makes it easier to set up.
2. Each device requires only one port. 

Disadvantages of Star Topology are as follows:

1. If the central node/ hub crashes, then the entire system falls with it.
2. The cost of installation in star topology is high.
3. The performance of the entire network relies on the hub. 

Ring Topology

Ring Topology refers to an arrangement of a network where a ring of connecting devices is formed with exactly two neighboring devices.

Ring topology uses a large number of repeaters and nodes to prevent data loss. If a user wants to send some data to the last node in a ring topology with 100 nodes, then the data will have to go through 99 nodes before reaching the 100th node. 

This system is unidirectional but one can install two connections between each network node to make it bidirectional. This arrangement is known as Dual Ring Topology.

Advantages of Ring Topology are as follows:

1. Ring topology has the minimum possibility of collision.
2. It is cheap to install and expand.

Disadvantages of Ring Topology are as follows:

1. It is less secure.
2. There is a problem with troubleshooting.
3. The addition or removal of stations can disturb the entire topology.

Bus Topology

Bus topology refers to an arrangement of a network where the computers and the network device are connected via a single cable. It is unidirectional and has a multi-point connection and non-robust topology as if the backbone fails then the topology crashes.

Advantages of bus topology are as follows:

1. The number of cables required is one, despite the number of devices.
2. The cost of cable is less as it needs only one.

Disadvantages of bus topology are as follows:

1. It is dependent on one cable, and if that crashes then the entire system fails.
2. The security in bus topology is very low.
3. There are chances of collision.

Tree Topology

Tree Topology has a hierarchical flow of data and is a variant of star topology.

Advantages of tree topology are as follows:

1. It allows numerous devices to be attached to a single hub, hence decreasing the distance that the signal needs to cover to come to the device.
2. It allows a network to isolate and prioritize from different computers. 

Disadvantages of tree topology are as follows:

1. Similar to the star topology, if the hub fails then the entire system crashes.
2. It needs several cables, therefore the cost is higher. 

Reference 

Types of Network Topology