What are the Types of Network Topology?

Network topology defines the arrangement of links and nodes in the computing network. It explains the graphical structure of connections and nodes. It also describes how data transfer from one node to another. German mathematician Johann Listing gave a topology concept for the first time in history. He published a research paper, ‘Introductory Studies in Topology,’ later named Topology.

There are two main types of network topology: one is a physical network, and the other is a logical network. The physical topology has further six types such as:

1. Bus network topology
2. Star network topology
3. Ring network topology
4. Mesh network topology
5. Tree network topology
6. Hybrid network topology

Where are these types applicable, and what are their advantages and disadvantages? You will get answers to all these queres. You will also learn some interesting and amazing facts that will surprise you.

Different Types of Physical Network Topology

Physical topology explains the physical structure of computers and nodes. It is the physical layout in which different elements, like nodes and links, are interconnected. There are six further types of physical topology. Every type is very important and plays a vital role in its way. 

Bus Network Topology

Bus topology is the most common topology in which a single bus operates for network communication. This bus attaches with different taps and droplines. The taps are the connectors, while droplines are cables connecting a computer. In other words, all nodes have a single transmission line. When a sender delivers a message, all other computers can understand it. However, only the receiver accepts it, and others reject it.

Bus technology is useful for small networks such as LANs. The bus supports the network’s backbone in this topology, connecting all computers and gadgets.  Line terminators exist at both ends of the communications link. The data move in one direction, and when it reaches a target, the terminator removes it from the communication line to avoid signal bounce.

Advantages of the Bus Topology

1. Bus topology is very simple to use and install.
2. When any node fails, it will not affect the other nodes.
3. It is very cost-effective.
4. It required a small cable length as compared to other topologies.
5. It is very beneficial for a small, simple, or temporary setup.

Disadvantages of the Bus Topology

1. When the number of connection increase, the performance will decrease.
2. When the bus fails, the network is affected by this.
3. A limited number of nodes can add.
4. In a bus topology, when the cable collapses, the complete network will destroy.
5. The bus topology is slower as compared to the ring topology.

Star Network Topology

A topology in which all nodes are bound to the central location is known as a star topology. The hub or switch serves as a bridge between the nodes and hubs. Any node requesting service must communicate with the hub.

The central device has a point-to-point communication link with the devices. It depends on the central devices whether the message is unicast or broadcast. The hub broadcasts the message while switching unicast a message. Broadcasting enhances unnecessary data traffic in the network.

In the star topology, the switch and hub serve as servers and manage everything in the network, while others serve as clients. Connecting a node with the central device required only one input-output port and cable. It is best for security because the data does not pass from every node.

Some Benefits of Star Topology

1. Star topology is very fast due to the low traffic.
2. You can easily upgrade it.
3. Its setup is very easy, and you can modify it.
4. It can quickly troubleshoot.
5. If one node fails, then it does not affect the other node.

Some Drawbacks of Star Topology 

1. The whole network will fail in star topology if the central devices fail.
2. You can attach a limited number of devices in a star topology.
3. All the nodes depend on the hub.
4. Its performance depends on the hub’s capacity.
5. A damaged cable can affect the speed of the network.
6. It is an expensive network.

Ring Network Topology

Ring topology is a type of topology in which every device attaches to two other devices. The last computer will be connected to the first computer and make a ring shape, known as the ring topology. In this topology, The main computer is called the monitor station. The monitor station is responsible for every function that performs in the network. 

The ring topology is linear, meaning each computer is responsible for transmitting the data in a fixed time. Every node connects with the other and develops a closed-loop shape. It is specially designed for a token-based system—the token travel in a loop in one direction and remains circular in the network. 

Some Advantages of Ring Topology

1. Ring topology is very easy to install.
2. The faulty node does not pass the token.
3. It is less costly than a star topology.
4. It is unidirectional, so the possibility of the collection is near zero.
5. The data pass at high speed.

Some Disadvantages of Ring Topology

1. The whole network will fail in a ring topology if one node fails.
2. Adding and removing the node is very difficult because it interrupts the whole network.
3. It is difficult to detect the faulty node in the ring topology.
4. It is less secure than others.
5. Adding a new device to a network will delay communication speed.

Mesh Network Topology

Mesh topology is the type of topology in which one node attaches to other nodes. It sets up a P2P (point-to-point) connection between all network devices. There are two other types of mesh topology. The one is partial topology, and the second is full topology.

Partial Topology

The topology in which every node does not attach with other nodes in the network. 

Full Topology

The nodes in which every node attaches with other nodes in the network. In the full mesh connection, every node connects to the other node present in the network. For this reason, the full topology is famous as the (Point-to-Point) topology.

There are two methods for transmitting data in the mesh topology. One is routing, and the other is flooding. It offers a high level of redundancy. So when one network cable fails, then data has an alternative path to reach its destination. In Mesh Topology, two protocols use the AHCP (Ad Hoc Configuration Protocols) and DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol).

Some Advantages of Tree Topology

1. The failure of one node does not affect the others nodes.
2. It covers a large distance in the network.
3. You can check faulty note easily.
4. It is very easy to maintain and manage.
5. It is effortless to expand the network with more nodes.

Some Disadvantages of Ring Topology

1. It is very complex to implement.
2. If the main bus fails, then the whole network is affected by it.
3. It is more costly than others.
4. It is a heavily cabled topology.
5. When you add a new device, then you can easily reconfigure it.

Tree Network Topology

In tree network topology, all nodes link to the main bus cable. Tree topology is the addition of two topologies; one is a bus, and the second is star topology. A tree topology divides the entire network into parts that can be easily managed and maintained. This topology has a main hub and all other sub-hubs attached to it. 

Tree topology applies in the WAN (Wide Area Network). It is the submission of Bus topology and star topology. It is very beneficial if the workstations exist in groups, for fast working, managing and quick access. The topology has at least three levels of ranking.

Some Advantages of Tree Topology

1. It covers a large area of a network.
2. Faulty nodes can check easily.
3. There are minimum chances of losing data.
4. You can add a large number of nodes directly or indirectly.
5. Other nodes do not affect by the failure of one node.

Some Disadvantages of Ring Topology

1. The hardware components are expensive.
2. It is very complex to implement.
3. If the central node collapses, then the whole network collapse.
4. It required a high level of maintenance.
5. When you add a new device, it becomes tough to reconfigure.

Hybrid Network Topology

Hybrid topology is the combination of two or more topologies. In practical life, they are the most widely used. All topologies attach according to the demand to form a hybrid in this topology. You can use every good feature of each topology to make it efficient. In this type of topology, you can use each feature of every topology to make it more beneficial.

Some Advantages of Hybrid Topology

1. Hybrid topology can manage large numbers of nodes.
2. It is very user-friendly because if one node fails, others are unaffected.
3. You can do changing in it very easily.
4. Its size can be extended easily.
5. It is very easy to use and modify.

Some Disadvantages of Ring Topology

1. Its size can be extended, but it will be a problem to manage.
2. It is expensive because it is the sum of two or more nodes.
3. The design of hybrid topology is complex.
4. Nodes can collide with each other due to having large numbers of nodes. 
5. It is some complex than others.

Some Interesting Facts About Types of Network Topology

1. Star topology is the most popular type of topology.
2. Tree topology is the combination of bus and star topology.
3. Tree topology is the most complicated topology due to the ranking system in the network.
4. Mesh topology can handle a large amount of traffic.
5. Star topology is the most expensive topology than other.
6. Point-to-Point topology is the simplest topology because it exists between two endpoints.
7. Mesh topology contains multiple nodes, so it is the most fault-tolerant topology.
8. Star topology is the most useful topology for networking at home.

Learn More About Types of Network Topology.

I have written many articles on the topic of network topology. You can study all articles through this link. Please click here:

Conclusion

After reading about the different types of computer networks. We conclude with some important points. You should keep these in mind these points for selecting physical topology. Some important points are:

1. Reliable nature
2. Cabling need
3. Easy to install and should be user-friendly.
4. Fault tolerance
5. Easy for upgradation and configuration.
6. Performance speed should be high.
7. It should not be too much expensive.

FAQs About Types of Network Topology

In the FAQs section, I have put the answers for all the related question. If you have further query then you can ask in the comment box. I shall resolve your query within a few hours.