The word topology means ‘arrangement’, so when we talk about the topology of a network, we mean how the different parts are arranged and connected together.

There are three common network topologies...

Bus Network

In this type of network, a long, central cable, the ‘bus’ is used to connect all of the computers together. Each computer has a short cable linking it to the ‘bus’.
A bus network…
  • Is cheap to install (just one long cable)
  • Can be quite slow since all computers share the same cable when communicating
  • Will stop working if there is a break in the central bus cable.
Stacks Image 2790

Ring Network

In this type of network each computer is connected to a loop of cable, the ‘ring’. (If you took a bus network and connected the ends of the bus cable together, you would have a ring network.)
A ring network…
  • Can cope with a break in the ring cable since all computers are still joined together (it is now a bus network)
Stacks Image 2807

Star Network

In this type of network every computer is connected to a central device. The device passes messages between computers.

At the centre of a star network you might use a hub (cheap, but slower) or a switch (more expensive, but faster).

A star network…
  • Is quite expensive to install (you have to buy lots of cable and the central device)
  • Is very fast since each computer has its own cable which it doesn’t need to share
  • Can cope with a broken cable (only one computer will be affected)
  • Will stop working if the central device breaks
  • Is the most common network topology
Stacks Image 2821

Hybrid Network

A hybrid network is simply one that combines two or more of the above basic topologies.

E.g. A network that has several star networks linked together is a hybrid network
Stacks Image 2835

Sorry to ask you this, but...

 

This site took quite a bit of time and effort to create, and it costs me money to keep it up and running. If the site has helped you, please consider showing your appreciation by donating a little towards the site's running costs.

Thank you!

Sponsored Links...