NETWORK TOPOLOGY
What is Network topology?
1. The term topology refers to the way a
network is laid out, either physically or logically. Two or more devices
connect to a link; two or more links form a topology. The topology of a network
is the geometric representation of the relationship of all the links and
linking devices (usually called nodes) to each other.
a. Node. A node is
a device that is connected to the network. For our purposes here, a node is the same as a computer.
Network topology deals with how the nodes of a network
are connected to each other.
. b. Packet. A packet is
a message that is sent over the network from one node to another node. The packet includes the
address of the node that sent the packet, the address of the node the packet is being sent to, and
data.
Different types of Topology:
What is Star Topology?
In a
star topology, each device has a dedicated point-to-point link only to a
central controller, usually called a hub. The devices are not directly linked
to each other. A star topology does not allow direct traffic between devices.
The hub acts as an exchange. If one device wants to send data to another, it
sends the data to the controller, which then relays the data to the other
connected device.
What is Mesh Topology?
All devices have a dedicated point-to-point link to every
other device. The term dedicated means that the link carries traffic only
between the two devices it connects. A mesh guarantees that each connection can
carry its own data load, thus eliminating the traffic problems that can occur
when links must be shared by multiple devices. All of the data that is
transmitted between nodes in the network takes the shortest path. In case of a
failure or break in one of the links, the data takes an alternative path to the
destination.
What is Bus Topology?
Each node is connected to a single cable. Each
computer or server is connected to the single bus cable. A signal packet from
the source travels in both directions to all machines connected on the bus
cable until it finds the intended recipient. If the machine address does not
match the intended address for the data, the machine ignores the packet.
Alternatively, if the data matches the machine address, the data is accepted.
Since the bus topology consists of only one wire, it is rather inexpensive to
implement when compared to other typologies.
What is Ring Topology?
A network topology that is set up in a circular fashion in
which data travels around the ring in one direction and each device acts as a
repeater to keep the signal strong as it travels. A packet is passed along the
ring in one direction, from device to device, until it reaches its destination.
Each device incorporates a receiver for the incoming signal and a transmitter
to send the data on to the next device in the ring.
What is Tree Topology?
Tree typologies integrate
multiple star typologies 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.
