NETWORK TOPOLOGIES

STAR TOPOLOGY
In star topology, each communicating device is connected to a central node which is a networking
device like a hub or a switch. The central node can be either a broadcasting device means data will
be transmitted to all the nodes in the network or a unicast device means the node can identify the
destination and forward data to that node only.

ADVANTAGES

 Installation of star topology is very easy as all the nodes are directly connected to the
central node or server.
 Easy to detect faults and remove it.
 Failure of single system will not bring down the entire network.
DISADVANTAGES

 More cabling is required in star topology as compared to any other topology as all
nodes are directly connected to a central hub.
 Extra hardware is required for installation of central controller known as hub.
 All nodes of star topology are dependent on central hub and, therefore, any problem
in the hub makes the entire network shut down.

BUS TOPOLOGY
In bus topology all the nodes are connected to a main cable called backbone. Nodes are
connected by drop lines and taps. A drop line is a connection between the long cable and
devices and taps are connectors that are punctured inside the main cable. The cable has
terminators at both ends which absorb signals when the signal reaches the end, preventing
signal bounce.
ADVANTAGES

 Nodes can be connected or removed easily from bus topology

 It requires less cable length than a star topology.
 It works well for small network.
DISADVANTAGES

 Fault isolation is difficult to detect if the entire networks shut down.

 If there is a fault or break in the main cable, the entire network shuts down.
 The signals becomes weaker if number of nodes becomes large.

RING TOPOLOGY
 In ring topology every computer is connected to the next computer in the ring and
each transmit the signal ,what it receives from the previous computer. The messages
flow around the ring in one direction.
ADVANTAGES
Easy to install
 Easy to reconfigure

 Easy to detect a problem Disadvantages of a Ring topology

 Break means the whole system is dead