Network Topologies

Network Topologies refer to the arrangement of different devices on a network. It defines the way different nodes (devices) are placed and how they interact with each other.

Star Topology

A star topology features a central connection point, such as a switch or a hub, to which all other devices on the network are connected.
The central node provides a common connection point for all nodes through a hub.
If one node fails, it does not affect the rest of the network.
However, if the central hub fails, the whole network goes down as all devices are directly connected to it.

Bus Topology

In a bus topology, all devices are connected to a central cable, known as the bus.
Data is sent along the bus and can be received by all other devices, but only the intended recipient will accept and process the data.
It’s simpler and requires less cabling than a star network, but if the central cable (the bus) fails, the whole network will go down.
Additionally, as more devices are added to the network, the network will slow down due to increased data traffic.

Mesh Topology

A mesh topology has each device connected directly to every other device on the network.
It provides numerous paths for data to travel, so it’s very robust. If one branch fails, network communication can continue unimpeded.
However, it requires more cables and therefore costs more to set up.

Ring Topology

In a ring topology, each device (node) is connected to two other devices in the network, forming a ring.
Data travels in one direction and each device receives and re-transmits messages to the next.
If one node fails, it can disrupt the entire network.

Key Points to Remember

Star, bus, mesh, and ring topologies are different ways that a network can be organised. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses, mostly revolving around cost, complexity, and failure resilience. Remember that the chosen topology impacts the performance and reliability of the network.