What Is Network Topology? | Types of Network Topology | Simplilearn

2. What’s In It For You? • What Is Network Topology? • Why Apply Network Topology? • Different Types of Topology • Which Network Topology to Choose?

3. What Is Network Topology? • Network Topology, refers to the pattern or arrangement in which network devices and computer systems are to be interconnected with each other. Network Topology is comprised of two parts: • Network: It is often refer to as a node, which represent a computer or a device in the connection. • Topology: This part refers to the pattern of the connection between multiple interconnected nodes. Nodes Connection Medium

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5. Why Apply Network Topology? Advantage in Network Connection: Using the concept of network topology in during connection of various devices allows us to sketch a proper model of the whole connection helpful for security points. Security Troubleshooting Understanding Network Concept: Applying this concept also helps us to better understand the relationship between various network devices and we understand the reason of this connection made in the network. Connection Modes

6. Different Types of Topology According to the physical notation of connecting nodes(network devices) we can classify different types of topology. Types of Topology Mesh Topology Bus Topology Star Topology Ring Topology Tree Topology

7. Point-to-Point Topology • In this type of network connection, two hosts(Computer System/Network Devices) are connected through a single line cable. • With both hosts at the extreme end of the cable to share data and information. Data Sharing Host 1 Host 2

8. Bus Topology • All the nodes(devices) in bus topology is connected to a single cable known as the network backbone. • Sharing of data from any node reaches all the connected nodes, whether it was to be shared or not and the end point is known as the Terminate Point. Nodes Network Backbone Terminate Point

9. Bus Topology • Advantages of Bus Topology: • Easy Installation, due to simple cable configuration required it is easy to setup. • Cost Effective, no extra network devices such as hub, switch needed, nodes are directly connected to the cable. • Prevent Network Failure, in case of single node failure other nodes are not damaged. Cost Effective Prevent Net Failure Easy Installation

10. Bus Topology • Disadvantages of Bus Topology: • Complex Troubleshooting, due to the simple configuration, detecting error nodes becomes difficult. • Network Interference, in case of multiple nodes share data, they crash into each other and destroys the signal. • Loss of Data, due to direct data exchange, loss of signal is quite high. Complex Troubleshooting Loss of Data Network Interference

11. Ring Topology • As the name suggests the nodes in this topology are connected in a circular format forming a ring shape. • The data flow is in clockwise format. • Works on the method of token passing. Nodes Clockwise Data Movement

12. Ring Topology • Advantages of Ring Topology: • Better Network Management, removing error devices becomes easier. • Easy Installation, the required hardware are easily available and easy to setup. • Cost Effective, no extra network devices such as hub, switch required as nodes are directly connected to each other through cable. Better Network Management Cost Effective Non-Complex Installation

13. Ring Topology • Disadvantages of Ring Topology: • Network Crash, problem with single node leads to the crashing of whole topology. • Slow Data Transfer, due to the unidirectional movement of the data, data movement is slow. • Problem Troubleshooting, to identify faulty nodes, special equipment are needed, crashing the whole network. Problem Troubleshooting Network Crash Slow Data Transfer

14. Star Topology • In this topology the nodes are connected through a central hub which can be a computer, or a network device. • The central unit is also termed as the server and the nodes as the client. • Central unit comprises mostly of network devices for better data transmission in this network. Nodes Central Hub

15. Star Topology • Advantages of Star Topology: • Low Error Chance, due to connection of each node with central hub, error in single node does not affect the whole connection. • Easy Troubleshooting, through the central hub, troubleshooting problem in the connection becomes easier. • Efficient Speed, allows fast data transfer in the network. Low Error Troubleshooting Low Error

16. Star Topology • Disadvantages of Star Topology: • Central Hub Failure, in case of problem with the central hub the whole network is shutdown. • Connection issue with the network devices, as they need delicate configuration for installation. Complex Connection Central Fail

17. Tree Topology • Tree topology is a combination of star and bus topology. • The node connection in the topology follows hierarchical pattern, with the topmost node as the root and the branching nodes as the child nodes. • They share data through root-child format in the network. Star Net 2 Star Net 1 Core Unit

18. Tree Topology • Advantages of Tree Topology: • Installing new extended network is easy in the network due to the star characteristic. • Ease of troubleshooting error nodes increases the efficiency of the network and doesn’t affect the main network. Efficient Troubleshooting Easy Installation

19. Tree Topology • Disadvantages of Tree Topology: • Crash in central unit, in case of damage in the core part of the network, whole network connection is crashed. • Difficult to install security measures. • Difficult in re-configuring the existing nodes. Complex Network Central Fail Security Measures

20. Mesh Topology • Mesh topology, as the name suggests is composed of multiple repeated connection between the nodes and share data. • Can be divided in two formats: • Full Mesh Topology: In this connection, each node is connected to every other node available in the network. • Partial Mesh Topology: In this some of the nodes are connected to all the other nodes in the network. Interconnected Nodes

21. Mesh Topology • Advantages of Mesh Topology: • In case of damage in any of the node, does not affect the overall connection between the other nodes. • High speed data transmission due to interconnected pattern. High Speed Transmission Less Damage

22. Mesh Topology • Disadvantages of Mesh Topology: • High cost, the connection nodes requires multiple cables and network devices for data transmission. • Complex pattern, due to the interconnection of nodes, management of the network becomes difficult. • Due to the repeated network connections, efficiency is decreased in the connection. High Cost Complex Connection Network Management

23. Which Network Topology to Choose? To choose the best topology in accordance to our network we can refer to some of the below mentioned factors that may affect our choice: Cost Effective Flexibility Reliable Security Easy Installation