Network topologies are connected through various physical and logical arrangements of nodes (devices) and the links (cables or wireless connections) that join them. Common types include star, ring, bus, mesh, and hybrid topologies, each dictating how data travels between nodes. For instance, in a star topology, all nodes connect to a central hub, while in a mesh topology, each node connects to multiple others for redundancy. The choice of topology affects network performance, reliability, and scalability.
In a bus topology, all devices are connected to a single central cable, or bus. If this wire fails, all devices downstream of the break lose their connection to the network, resulting in a communication failure for those devices. However, devices upstream of the failure can still communicate with each other. This vulnerability makes bus topologies less reliable compared to other network topologies like star or ring.
what are the different networking topologies?
The four different network topologies are: Star Topology: In this configuration, all devices are connected to a central hub or switch, allowing easy management and isolation of devices but creating a single point of failure. Bus Topology: All devices are connected to a single communication line or cable, which can be cost-effective but may lead to performance issues as more devices are added. Ring Topology: Each device is connected in a circular fashion, where data travels in one direction, providing consistent performance but making it vulnerable to failure if one device goes down. Mesh Topology: Devices are interconnected, allowing for multiple pathways for data to travel, enhancing reliability and redundancy but requiring more cabling and complexity in setup.
The most reliable network topology is often considered to be the mesh topology. In a mesh network, each device is connected to multiple other devices, providing multiple pathways for data to travel. This redundancy ensures that if one connection fails, data can still be routed through alternate paths, minimizing downtime and enhancing reliability. However, mesh networks can be more complex and costly to implement compared to simpler topologies.
Local area networks (LANs) commonly use several topologies, with the most prevalent being star, bus, and ring topologies. The star topology connects all devices to a central hub or switch, facilitating easier management and fault isolation. The bus topology involves a single central cable to which all network devices are connected, while the ring topology connects devices in a circular format, where data travels in one direction. Each topology has its advantages and disadvantages, influencing its selection based on network size and requirements.
I found and linked below a website that has information on many, but not all, network topologies.
Star Topology
A network or the network's layout. How different nodes in a network are connected to each other and how they communicate are determined by the network's topology. Topologies are either physical or logical. Below are diagrams of the five most common network topologies.
Network Topology decides how Devices on a Network will be interconnected. General used Topologies are BUS, RING & STAR Topologies.
There are two basic categories of network topologies Physical topologies Logical topologies The shape of the cabling layout used to link devices is called the physical topology of the network. Logical topology is the way the signals act in the network In BUS topology you have "THE LINEAR BUS" and "THE DISTRIBUTED BUS" IN the LINEAR bus all the nodes of the network are connected to a common transmission medium which has 2 end points where as in the DISTRIBUTED, all the nodes are connected to a common transmission medium which has more than 2 end points.
Network topologies is the means in which a network is structured. There are two types being physical and logical. Logical topology shows how data is delivered between a network.
When a network combines two or more types of network topologies, it is referred to as a hybrid topology. This approach leverages the strengths of various topologies, such as star, ring, or bus, to optimize performance and reliability. Hybrid topologies can be tailored to meet specific needs of the network, accommodating diverse requirements and improving scalability.
star topology
Star topologies. Sometimes combined topologies are used of which i have no idea!! :P
A star is a central 'hub' to which 'satellite' locations are connected. There is no direct communication between two satellites except through the hub.
The complex combination of pure topologies is called a Hybrid. Examples of hybrid are star ring network and star bus network.
Bus star ring mesh hybrid