Computer Network Topologies

A Network Topology is the way computer systems or network equipment connected to each other. Topologies may define both physical and logical aspect of the network. Both logical and physical topologies could be same or different in a same network.

Point-to-point

Point-to-point networks contains exactly two hosts (computer or switches or routers or servers) connected back to back using a single piece of cable. Often, the receiving end of one host is connected to sending end of the other end and vice-versa.

[Image: Point-to-point Topology]

If the hosts are connected point-to-point logically, then may have multiple intermediate devices. But the end hosts are unaware of underlying network and see each other as if they are connected directly.

Bus Topology

In contrast to point-to-point, in bus topology all device share single communication line or cable. All devices are connected to this shared line. Bus topology may have problem while more than one hosts sending data at the same time. Therefore, the bus topology either uses CSMA/CD technology or recognizes one host has Bus Master to solve the issue. It is one of the simple forms of networking where a failure of a device does not affect the others. But failure of the shared communication line make all other devices fail.

[Image: Bus Topology]

Both ends of the shared channel have line terminator. The data is sent in only one direction and as soon as it reaches the extreme end, the terminator removes the data from the line.

Star Topology

All hosts in star topology are connected to a central device, known as Hub device, using a point-to-point connection. That is, there exists a point to point connection between hosts and Hub. The hub device can be Layer-1 device (Hub / repeater) or Layer-2 device (Switch / Bridge) or Layer-3 device (Router / Gateway).

[Image: Star Topology]

As in bus topology, hub acts as single point of failure. If hub fails, connectivity of all hosts to all other hosts fails. Every communication happens between hosts, goes through Hub only. Star topology is not expensive as to connect one more host, only one cable is required and configuration is simple.

Ring Topology

In ring topology, each host machine connects to exactly two other machines, creating a circular network structure. When one host tries to communicate or send message to a host which is not adjacent to it, the data travels through all intermediate hosts. To connect one more host in the existing structure administrator may need only one more extra cable.

[Image: Ring Topology]

Failure of any host results in failure of the whole ring. Thus every connection in the ring is point of failure. There exists methods which employs one more backup ring.

Mesh Topology

In this type of topology, a host is connected to one or two or more than two hosts. This topology may have hosts having point-to-point connection to every other hosts or may also have hosts which are having point to point connection to few hosts only.

[Image: Full Mesh Topology]

Hosts in Mesh topology also work as relay for other hosts which do not have direct point-to-point links. Mesh technology comes into two flavors:

• Full Mesh: All hosts have a point-to-point connection to every other host in the network. Thus for every new host n(n-1)/2 cables (connection) are required. It provides the most reliable network structure among all network topologies.
• Partially Mesh: Not all hosts have point-to-point connection to every other host. Hosts connect to each other in some arbitrarily fashion. This topology exists where we need to provide reliability to some host whereas others are not as such necessary.

Tree Topology

Also known as Hierarchical Topology is the most common form of network topology in use present day. This topology imitates as extended Star Topology and inherits properties of Bus topology.
This topology divides the network in to multiple levels/layers of network. Mainly in LANs, a network is bifurcated into three types of network devices. The lowest most is access-layer where user’s computer are attached. The middle layer is known as distribution layer, which works as mediator between upper layer and lower layer. The highest most layer is known as Core layer, and is central point of the network, i.e. root of the tree from which all nodes fork.

[Image: Tree Topology]

All neighboring hosts have point-to-point connection between them. Like bus topology, if the root goes down, the entire network suffers. Though it is not the single point of failure. Every connection serves as point of failure, failing of which divides the network into unreachable segment and so on.

Daisy Chain

This topology connects all its hosts in a linear fashion. Similar to Ring topology, all hosts in this topology are connected to two hosts only, except the end hosts. That is if the end hosts in Daisy Chain are connected then it represents Ring topology.

[Image: Daisy Chain Topology]

Each link in Daisy chain topology represents single point of failure. Every link failure splits the network into two segment. Every intermediate host works as relay for its immediate hosts.

Hybrid Topology

A network structure whose design contains more than one topology is said to be Hybrid Topology. Hybrid topology inherits merits and demerits of all the incorporating topologies.

[Image: Hybrid Topology]

The above picture represents an arbitrarily Hybrid topology. The combining topologies may contain attributes of Star, Ring, Bus and Daisy-chain topologies. Most WANs are connected by means of dual Ring topology and networks connected to them are mostly Star topology networks. Internet is the best example of largest Hybrid topology