Network Topologies
- 10 hours ago
- 2 min read
📘 Introduction
Network topology refers to the physical or logical arrangement of computers and networking devices in a communication network.
It defines how devices are connected, how data flows, and how the network is managed.
Choosing a suitable topology affects performance, cost, reliability, and scalability of the network.
⭐ 1. Star Topology
Definition
All devices are connected to a central hub or switch.
Structure & Working
Each device has a dedicated connection to the central device.
Data first reaches the hub/switch, which forwards it to the destination device.
Advantages
Easy installation and management
Fault isolation is simple
High performance with switches
Easy expansion
Disadvantages
Central device failure stops network
Higher cabling cost
Applications
Computer labs, offices, home LAN, modern Ethernet networks
🚌 2. Bus Topology
Definition
All devices are connected to a single backbone cable.
Structure & Working
Data travels along the backbone. Every device checks the signal; only the destination accepts it.
Advantages
Low cost
Less cable required
Easy setup for small networks
Disadvantages
Backbone failure stops entire network
Performance reduces with traffic
Difficult troubleshooting
Applications
Small networks, early Ethernet LAN
🔵 3. Ring Topology
Definition
Devices are connected in a circular loop.
Structure & Working
Data moves from one device to the next. Many ring networks use token passing to control transmission.
Advantages
Equal access for devices
Predictable performance
No data collisions (token ring)
Disadvantages
One break affects entire network
Difficult maintenance
Expansion is complex
Applications
Token Ring networks, older LAN systems
🕸️ 4. Mesh Topology
Definition
Each device is connected to multiple or all other devices.
Structure & Working
Data can travel through multiple paths. If one path fails, another path is used.
Advantages
Very high reliability
Fault tolerant
No single point of failure
Suitable for critical systems
Disadvantages
Very expensive
Complex design
Requires many cables and ports
Applications
Internet backbone, military, wireless mesh networks
🌳 5. Tree Topology
Definition
Tree topology is a hierarchical topology formed by connecting multiple star networks to a backbone.
Structure & Working
A root node connects to intermediate switches, which connect to devices forming branches.
Advantages
Highly scalable
Suitable for large networks
Easy network segmentation
Better management
Disadvantages
Backbone dependency
Complex configuration
Higher cost
Applications
Campus networks, enterprises, corporate networks
🔀 6. Hybrid Topology
Definition
Hybrid topology is a combination of two or more different topologies.
Structure & Working
Different topology segments are integrated to create a flexible large network.
Advantages
Flexible design
Scalable
Reliable
Optimized performance
Disadvantages
Expensive
Complex management
Requires skilled professionals
Applications
Large enterprises, modern organizations, internet infrastructure
📊 Comparison
✅ Conclusion
Network topology plays a crucial role in network design. Each topology has its own advantages, limitations, and suitable use cases.
Modern networks commonly use star, tree, and hybrid topologies due to better scalability, reliability, and performance.
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