INTRODUCTION TO

NETWORKING

Network Types and Topologies

 Objectives

Understand the different types of

Networks available.

Understand Networks topologies

Understand categories of Networks

topologies

Understand issues related to

various topologies
Types of Topology

•Point-to-point topology connects two nodes

directly together - Mesh

•Multipoint topologies link three or more devices

together through a single communication – Star,
Bus, Ring, Hybrid
Physical & Logical Topology

• The physical topology of a network is the

layout or actual appearance of the cabling
scheme used on a network.

• The logical topology of a network describes

how the data flows through the physical
topology.
Network Types & Topologies

■ Network Topologies
– Bus Topology
– Ring Topology
– Star Topology
– Mesh Topology
Network Types & Topologies

■ Three standard Topologies

 Bus or Linear Bus
 Star
 Ring
Bus or Linear Bus Topology

■ Connected in a row along a single cable, trunk, backbone or

segment.
■ Communication on a bus
 Sending the signal
 Signal propagates along cable(s)
 A terminator absorbs the signal at the end
Bus or Linear Bus Topology

■ Only one computer can access wire at any one time

– The more PC’s attached, more traffic generated
■ Bus is a PASSIVE topology.
■ PC only listens for traffic
Bus or Linear Bus Topology

■ Signal bounce occurs if ends of bus not terminated.

– Terminators attached to each end. Every cable end must be
attached to something.
– Generally a 50 Ohm resistor is used as terminator
■ LAN expansion - bus topology
– Barrel connector
– Repeater - boosts signal (regenerate/amplify)
Bus or Linear Bus Topology
Bus or Linear Bus Topology

Data sent to all computers, but only destination accepts

02608c133456

02608c133456
Bus or Linear Bus Topology
Terminators absorb ‘free’ signals

Terminator
Bus or Linear Bus Topology

Connectors can be used to combine cable segments

BNC Barrel Connector

Bus or Linear Bus Topology

Repeaters connect cables and amplify the signal

Weakened signal Repeater

Regenerated signal
Bus or Linear Bus Topology

 CSMA/CD (Contention Method) - Carrier Sense Multiple

Access /Collision Detection.

– also called listen-before talk

– used with bus topology

– part of Ethernet standard 802.3

Star Topology

■ Each segment attached to centralized component, called a

Switch/Hub
■ If the switch/hub fails, the network goes down
■ The switch/hub is the central connector; not the central
controller!
Star Topology

Simple Star network

Switch/Hub
Star Topology

Switch/Hub is the central point in a Star topology

Switch/Hub

02608c133456
Ring Topology

■ Signal travels around a ring

■ Travels in one direction
■ Signal boosted (regenerated) by each computer as signal passes through
(computer acts as repeater)
■ Generally uses Token Passing
Ring Topology

Simple ring network showing logical ring

Ring Topology
A computer grabs the token and passes it around the ring

Data

40080865402

Data
Ring Topology

 IEEE 802.5 standard for ring access protocol allows priority levels to
be set for tokens and messages. (Problem - one station with high
priority messages can monopolize network).
 FDDI - standard for high speed ring LAN, using optic fiber. Also uses
token passing protocol. Some differences to maximize efficiency.
 Multiple tokens can be circulated because station transmits free
token immediately after transmits message
Variations on Topologies

■ Star Bus - several star topologies linked together with linear bus trunks
■ Star Ring - also called star wired ring. Centered in a hub
Variations on Topologies

Star bus network

Hub Hub Hub
Variations on Topologies

Star ring network

Main hub
Physical Star – Logical Bus
Physical Star – Logical Ring
Other Topologies

■ Token Bus - linear bus trunks but using token passing access – IEEE
802.4 std.

Tap
Terminator
Other Topologies

■ Mesh – Point to Point – All stations connected to all

other stations directly
– Complexity increases with more nodes
Other Topologies
Mesh Topology
Advantages
• Best Performance
Hub Technology

■ Active - most hubs are active. They regenerate & retransmit signal. They are
also called ‘multiport repeaters’
■ Passive - characterized by wiring panel or ‘Punchdown Blocks’
■ Hybrid - accommodate different cable types
Hub Technology

Main Hub
Hub Technology

A broken or unplugged cable takes down the unplugged computer only

Network Standards & Protocols

IEEE 802 Committee

– IEEE has multiple standards committees
– LAN standards are set by the IEEE 802 Standards
Committee
Working Groups of the 802 Standards Committee create
individual standards
– 802.3 for Ethernet Standards
– 802.5 for Token-Ring LAN Standards
– 802.11 for Radio and Infrared Wireless LANs
Network Standards & Protocols

IEEE submits LAN standards to the ANSI

American National Standards Institute
USA National accredited standards agency
ANSI also creates LAN standards.
ANSI submits standards to ISO
Usually without changes
ISO adopts the standard
Often renames. IEEE 802.3 became ISO 8023
Network Standards & Protocols

802.3 802.4 802.5 FDDI (ANSI)

PROTOCOL CSMA/CD TOKEN BUS TOKEN RING TOKEN RING

BASEBAND/ BROADBAND
BROADBAND COAX
PHYSICAL COAX, SHIELDED OPTIC FIBRE
MEDIA OPTIC FIBRE TWISTED PAIR
UNSHIELDED
TWISTED PAIR

BUS TOPOLOGY RING TOPOLOGY

Network Components

• End devices – Client, Server etc.

• Protocols (rules) used to convert (or prepare) the data to be sent
onto the network - Ethernet, Token Ring
• Interface (device) used to convert the data into electrical signals
that can move over the physical medium – NIC
• Intermediate/Connectivity Devices – Hub, switch etc.
• The medium used to carry the signal, as generated by the interface
– Cable, wireless media etc.
Network Components
 Costs of Networking - Kwacha($$$)

• Cost of acquiring cables and associated equipment

• Cost of purchasing network software (operating system)
• Cost of support personnel
• Cost of Interconnectivity – Communication cost
• Training Cost
• Maintenance Cost
• Cost of Network versions of software