There are around 8 topology network :
- Point-to-point
- Bus
- Star
- Ring or circular
- Mesh
- Tree
- Hybrid
- Daisy chain
BUS TOPOLOGY
Bus networks (not to be confused with the system bus of a computer) use a common backbone to connect all devices. A single cable, the backbone functions as a shared communication medium that devices attach or tap into with an interface connector. A device wanting to communicate with another device on the network sends a broadcast message onto the wire that all other devices see, but only the intended recipient actually accepts and processes the message.
Ethernet bus topologies are relatively easy to install and don't require much cabling compared to the alternatives. 10Base-2 ("ThinNet") and 10Base-5 ("ThickNet") both were popular Ethernet cabling options many years ago for bus topologies. However, bus networks work best with a limited number of devices. If more than a few dozen computers are added to a network bus, performance problems will likely result. In addition, if the backbone cable fails, the entire network effectively becomes unusable.
See the illustration of Bus Network Topology.
Advantages of a Linear Bus Topology
- Easy to connect a computer or peripheral to a linear bus.
- Requires less cable length than a star topology.
- Entire network shuts down if there is a break in the main cable.
- Terminators are required at both ends of the backbone cable.
- Difficult to identify the problem if the entire network shuts down.
- Not meant to be used as a stand-alone solution in a large building.
TREE TOPOLOGY
Tree topologies integrate multiple star topologies together
onto a bus. In its simplest form, only hub devices connect directly to the tree
bus, and each hub functions as the "root" of a tree of devices. This bus/star
hybrid approach supports future expandability of the network much better than a
bus (limited in the number of devices due to the broadcast traffic it generates)
or a star (limited by the number of hub connection points) alone.
See the illustration of Tree Network Topology.
Advantages of a Tree Topology
- Point-to-point wiring for individual segments.
- Supported by several hardware and software venders.
- Overall length of each segment is limited by the type of cabling used.
- If the backbone line breaks, the entire segment goes down.
- More difficult to configure and wire than other topologies.
STAR TOPOLOGY
Many home networks use the star topology. A star network
features a central connection point called a "hub" that may be a hub, switch or
router. Devices typically connect to the hub with Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP)
Ethernet.
Compared to the bus topology, a star network generally requires more cable, but a failure in any star network cable will only take down one computer's network access and not the entire LAN. (If the hub fails, however, the entire network also fails.)
See the illustration of Star Network Topology.
Advantages of a Star Topology
- Easy to install and wire.
- No disruptions to the network then connecting or removing devices.
- Easy to detect faults and to remove parts.
- Requires more cable length than a linear topology.
- If the hub or concentrator fails, nodes attached are disabled.
- More expensive than linear bus topologies because of the cost of the concentrators.