Topology

Network topologies describe the ways in which the elements of a network are mapped. They describe the
physical and logical arrangement of the network nodes. Let us look at the advantages the different
network topologies offer and get to know their shortfalls.

Bus Topology

A bus network is an arrangement in a local area network (LAN) in which each node
(workstation or other device) is connected to a main cable or link called the bus. A
bus network is simple and reliable. If one node fails to operate, all the rest can still
communicate with each other. For a major disruption to take place, the bus itself
must be broken somewhere. Bus networks are easy to expand. Additional nodes can
be added anywhere along the bus.

Advantages of Bus Topology

It is easy to handle and implement.
It is best suited for small networks.

Disadvantages of Bus Topology

The cable length is limited. This limits the number of stations that can be connected.
This network topology can perform well only for a limited number of nodes.

Ring Topology
A ring network is a local area network (LAN) in which the nodes (workstations or
other devices) are connected in a closed loop configuration. Adjacent pairs of nodes
are directly connected. Other pairs of nodes are indirectly connected, the data
passing through one or more intermediate nodes.

Advantage of Ring Topology

The data being transmitted between two nodes passes through all the intermediate nodes. A central
server is not required for the management of this topology.

Disadvantages of Ring Topology

The failure of a single node of the network can cause the entire network to fail.
The movement or changes made to network nodes affects the performance of the entire network.

Mesh Topology

In telecommunication networks, a tree network is a combination of two or more star

networks connected together. Each star network is a local area network (LAN) in
which there is a central computer or server to which all the workstation nodes are
directly linked. The central computers of the star networks are connected to a main
cable called the bus. Thus, a tree network is a bus network of star networks.
Advantage of Mesh Topology
The arrangement of the network nodes is such that it is possible to transmit data from one node to many
other nodes at the same time.

Disadvantage of Mesh Topology

The arrangement wherein every network node is connected to every other node of the network, many of
the connections serve no major purpose. This leads to the redundancy of many of the network
connections.

Star Topology

A star network is a local area network (LAN) in which all nodes (workstations or
other devices) are directly connected to a common central computer. Every
workstation is indirectly connected to every other through the central computer. In
some star networks, the central computer can also operate as a workstation

Advantages of Star Topology

Due to its centralized nature, the topology offers simplicity of operation.
It also achieves an isolation of each device in the network.

Disadvantage of Star Topology

The network operation depends on the functioning of the central hub. Hence, the failure of the central hub
leads to the failure of the entire network.

Tree Toplology

In telecommunication networks, a tree network is a combination of two or more star

networks connected together. Each star network is a local area network (LAN) in
which there is a central computer or server to which all the workstation nodes are
directly linked. The central computers of the star networks are connected to a main
cable called the bus. Thus, a tree network is a bus network of star networks.

Types of networks

LAN :- A LAN connects network devices over a relatively short distance. A networked office building,
school, or home usually contains a single LAN, though sometimes one building will contain a few small
LANs (perhaps one per room), and occasionally a LAN will span a group of nearby buildings. In TCP/IP
networking, a LAN is often but not always implemented as a single IP subnet.

In addition to operating in a limited space, LANs are also typically owned, controlled, and managed by
a single person or organization. They also tend to use certain connectivity technologies, primarily
Ethernet and Token Ring.

WAN :- WAN - Wide Area Network

A WAN is a geographically-dispersed collection of LANs. A network device called a router connects
LANs to a WAN. In IP networking, the router maintains both a LAN address and a WAN address.

A WAN differs from a LAN in several important ways. Most WANs (like the Internet) are not owned by
any one organization but rather exist under collective or distributed ownership and management.
WANs tend to use technology like ATM, Frame Relay and X.25 for connectivity over the longer
distances.

MAN:

A metropolitan area network (MAN) is a large computer network that usually spans a city or a
large campus. A MAN usually interconnects a number of local area networks (LANs) using a
high-capacity backbone technology, such as fiber-optical links, and provides up-link services to
wide area networks and the Internet.

PAN

personal area network (PAN) is a computer network used for communication among
computer devices, including telephones and personal digital assistants, in proximity
to an individual's body. PANs can be used for communication among the personal
devices themselves (intrapersonal communication), or for connecting to a higher
level network and the Internet (an uplink).