Network topology

Topology is the shape of a network.

• Star topology

  There is a central device to which all the workstations or nodes are directly connected. The central device is a server or a hub, nodes communicate across the network by passing data through the hub. The main advantage of a star network is that one faulty node doesn't affect the rest of the network, and it's easy to add and remove nodes. The main disadvantage of star networks is that they require more cabling than other topologies which makes them more expensive. However, communication is fast because there is a direct path from the server to each terminal.

• Bus (line) topology

  Each workstation is connected to a main cable called a bus or backbone. Each device has equal status; the advantage is that if one terminal is not working correctly, the others are not affected. This type of network is very cheap and reliable.

  
  
  
  
  

• Ring topology

  All devices are connected to one another in the shape of a closed loop, so that each device is connected directly to two other devices, one on either side of it. All devices are equal, the disadvantage – if there is a fault in any part of the circle, all the nodes are affected.

• Mesh topology

  Devices are connected with many redundant interconnections between network nodes. In a true mesh topology every node has a connection to every other node in the network.

  
  

• Tree Topology

  Is a hybrid topology. Groups of star-configured networks are connected to a linear bus backbone.