Network Topologies 2

Mesh Topology

In a mesh topology, each device (node) is connected to every other device in the network.
It provides multiple paths for data to travel, which can increase speed and reliability.
A benefit of mesh networks are their high fault tolerance. If one node fails or is removed, it does not affect the rest of the network.
Mesh topology also allows for automatic re-routing of data if one path fails.
However, due to the high level of interconnectivity, mesh networks require more cabling and can be complex and expensive to set up and manage.

Tree Topology

A tree topology is a ‘hierarchical’ topology that combines elements of bus and star topologies.
It consists of groups (or ‘star networks’) of star-configured devices connected to a linear bus backbone.
Much like a tree, it has root node, branches, and leaves. The root node usually controls the traffic, and the leaves are the network’s endpoints.
The advantage of tree topology lies in its extension capabilities. You can add additional nodes easily.
If a node fails, it will not disturb the rest of the nodes in the tree.
However, if the root node is compromised, the entire network can fail.
It’s also more complicated than star or bus topologies, making it harder to set up and manage.

Hybrid Topology

A hybrid topology combines two or more topologies in such a way that the resulting network does not resemble a typical topology.
For example, a hybrid might include a star-bus network where a bus network ties together several star networks.
It’s flexible in that you can expand or modify it easily with many types of hardware to suit your specific needs.
Hybrid topologies also provide robust fault tolerance.
However, it can be complex to design and maintain due to its hybrid nature and potential size.
Also, these networks can be expensive to implement due to hardware requirements.