Network Topologies 1

Network Topologies

Bus Topology

In a bus topology, all devices are linked along a single cable, also known as the backbone.
The main advantage of this set up is that it is easy to set up and extend.
Signals are broadcast in both directions to the entire network from any one node.
A disadvantage is that if there’s a fault in the backbone cable, all connected devices are affected.
It can also lead to data collisions when two devices send signals at the same time.
The length of a bus network is limited by cable length and the number of stations.
It also suffers from heavier network traffic which can slow down data transmission speed.

Ring Topology

A ring topology forms a circular network where each device (node) is connected to two others, forming a loop.
Data flow in a ring topology is in one direction, reducing the chance of data collisions.
It is relatively simpler to install and reconfigure, adding or removing devices causes minimal disruption.
A disadvantage is that a single failure can impact the entire network.
It can be difficult to troubleshoot a ring network, contributing to network downtime.
Every packet of data must pass through all computers between source and destination, making it slower compared to a star network.

Star Topology

In a star topology, all devices are connected to a central hub or switch.
The central hub acts as a repeater, it receives and transmits data to the appropriate node.
If one node fails, it doesn’t affect the rest of the network, offering a high level of fault tolerance.
It is easy to add or remove devices and provides for easy fault identification and isolation.
A disadvantage is that if the central hub fails, the whole network goes down.
Star topology also requires more cable length than a linear topology and can be expensive to set up due to the cost of the hubs or switches.