Network Topology refers to layout of a

network. How different nodes in a network

are connected to each other and how
they communicate is determined by the
network's topology.

Network Topology refers to layout of a
network and how different nodes in a
network are connected to each other and
how they communicate. This slideshow
describes five of the most common network
topologies.
MESH TOPOLOGY
STAR TOPOLOGY
BUS TOPOLOGY
RING TOPOLOGY
TREE TOPOLOGY
HYBRID TOPOLOGY

1. Mesh Topology

Mesh Network Topology: In a mesh network, devices are
connected with many redundant interconnections
between network nodes. In a true mesh topology every
node has a connection to every other node in the
network. There are two types of mesh topologies:

Full mesh topology: occurs when every node has a circuit
connecting it to every other node in a network. Full mesh is
very expensive to implement but yields the greatest
amount of redundancy, so in the event that one of those
nodes fails, network traffic can be directed to any of the
other nodes. Full mesh is usually reserved for backbone
networks.


Partial mesh topology: is less expensive to
implement and yields less redundancy than
full mesh topology. With partial mesh, some
nodes are organized in a full mesh scheme
but others are only connected to one or
two in the network. Partial mesh topology is
commonly found in peripheral networks
connected to a full meshed backbone.
Advantages:

No traffic problem as there are dedicated links.

Robust as failure of one link does not affect the entire system.

Security as data travels along a dedicated line.

Points to point links make fault identification easy.

Disadvantages:

The hardware is expansive as there is dedicated link for any two
nodes and each device should have (n-1) I/O ports.

There is mesh of wiring which can be difficult to manage.

Installation is complex as each node is connected to every
node.


2. Star Topology

Star Topology: In a star network
devices are connected to a central
computer, called a hub. Nodes
communicate across the network
by passing data through the hub.
Advantages:

Star topology is less expensive than a mesh topology
as there are no dedicated links between nodes and
each device needs only one link and one I/O ports to
connect it to any number of nodes.

Easy to install and make configurations.

Robust as failure of one link does not affect the entire
system. The remaining system will be active.

Disadvantage:

More cabling is required in a star than in other
topologies (except mesh). Entire network collapse if
central controller fails.
3.Bus Topology

Bus Topology: In networking a bus is the
central cable -- the main wire -- that
connects all devices on a local-area
network (LAN).
It is also called the backbone. This is
often used to describe the main network
connections composing the Internet.
Bus networks are relatively inexpensive
and easy to install for small networks.
Ethernet systems use a bus topology.
Advantages:

Requires less cabling compared to mesh, star and
tree topologies.

Easy to install.

Disadvantages:

It's Difficult to add new devices.

Difficult reconfiguration and fault isolation.

A fault in Backbone stops all transmission, even
between devices on the same side of the problem
because of noise generated by faulty point.
4. Ring Topology

Ring Topology: A local-area network (LAN)
whose topology is a ring. That is, all of the
nodes are connected in a closed loop.
Messages travel around the ring, with each
node reading those messages addressed to it.
One main advantage to a ring network is that
it can span larger distances than other types of
networks, such as bus networks, because each
node regenerates messages as they pass
through it.
Advantages:

Relatively easy to install and reconfigure.

Easy to add new node as only two
connections need changes.

Disadvantages:

A fault in the ring can disable the entire
network. This weakness can be solved by
using a dual ring.
5. Tree Topology

Tree Topology: This is a "hybrid" topology
that combines characteristics of linear
bus and star topologies.
In a tree network, groups of star-
configured networks are connected to a
linear bus backbone cable.
Advantages:

Central hub (repeater) increases the
distance a signal can travel between
devices.

Disadvantages:

More cabling is required in a tree than in
other topologies (except mesh).

Entire network collapse if central Hub fails.

6.Hybrid Topology

Hybrid, as the name suggests, is mixture of two different things.
Similarly in this type of topology we integrate two or more
different topologies to form a resultant topology which has
good points(as well as weaknesses) of all the constituent basic
topologies rather than having characteristics of one specific
topology. This combination of topologies is done according to
the requirements of the organization.

For example, if there exists a ring topology in one office
department while a bus topology in another department,
connecting these two will result in Hybrid topology.
Remember connecting two similar topologies cannot be
termed as Hybrid topology. Star-Ring and Star-Bus networks
are most common examples of hybrid network.
Advantages of Hybrid Network Topology

1) Reliable : Unlike other networks, fault detection and troubleshooting is
easy in this type of topology. The part in which fault is detected can be
isolated from the rest of network and required corrective measures can be
taken, WITHOUT affecting the functioning of rest of the network.
2) Scalable: Its easy to increase the size of network by adding new
components, without disturbing existing architecture.
3) Flexible: Hybrid Network can be designed according to the requirements
of the organization and by optimizing the available resources. Special care
can be given to nodes where traffic is high as well as where chances of fault
are high.
4) Effective: Hybrid topology is the combination of two or more topologies, so
we can design it in such a way that strengths of constituent topologies are
maximized while there weaknesses are neutralized. For example we saw Ring
Topology has good data reliability (achieved by use of tokens) and Star
topology has high tolerance capability (as each node is not directly
connected to other but through central device), so these two can be used
effectively in hybrid star-ring topology.




Disadvantages of Hybrid Topology

1) Complexity of Design: One of the biggest
drawback of hybrid topology is its design. Its not easy
to design this type of architecture and its a tough job
for designers. Configuration and installation process
needs to be very efficient.
2) Costly Hub: The hubs used to connect two distinct
networks, are very expensive. These hubs are
different from usual hubs as they need to be
intelligent enough to work with different architectures
and should be function even if a part of network is
down.
3) Costly Infrastructure: As hybrid architectures are
usually larger in scale, they require a lot of cables,
cooling systems, sophisticate network devices, etc.