Network Topologies

By: Momina

It is basically how different parts are arranged and connected together in a network.

What does topology mean?

What Types of Topologies Are There?

Bus Network

Hybrid Network

Star Network

Ring Network

Think of it like this: when you walk into a bus, you need to pass all the other seats before you get to the one you actually want to sit on.

What is a Bus Network?

So in computer terms: it is used to connect all of the computers together; each computer has a cable connecting it to the ‘bus’.

Advantages/Disadvantages Back to Network Types

Advantages Disadvantages

Cheap to install. Why?Because you only need to connect every computer to a single cable.

It can be slow. Why?All the cables are using the same cable whilst trying to communicate.

If there is a break in the main cable; the entire network will stop working.

Bus Network

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For this one; you need to think of a ring.

What is a Ring Network?

All the computers in a ring network are literally just connected to the ring.Another way to look at it is; connected the two ends of a bus network.

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Advantages Disadvantages

Data transfer is quickly because the data only travels in one direction.

The data sent via the ‘cable’ must pass through every computer between the sender and the receiver; making the network slow.

The network can cope with a break in the network.How? All the computers are still linked together.

Ring Network

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All the computers are connected to one central device. This device could be:a) Hub : which is cheap but slowb) Switch: which is expensive but fast

Star Network

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What is a hubs job? Anything that comes in one port is sent out

to the others. Every computer connected to the hub

"sees" everything that every other computer on the hub sees.

It is usually used for small networks.

Hub

What does a switch do? It does the same thing as a hub but it has

the ability to "learn" where particular address is.

Switch

Advantages Disadvantages

Its comparatively fast because each computer has its own connection to the central device

Expensive to install. Why?Buying lots of wire and the central device

If one cable breaks; the system will not be affected; only that particular computer will be

The whole system will break down f the central device fails or breaks down

Star Network

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It is a network which consists of one or more of the basic networks.

E.g. Several star networks linked together

What is a Hybrid Network?

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