Network Topology

Computer Network Topologies

Source: Feleke Merin (Dr. – Engr.)

Senior Asst. Professor

SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR.- ENGR.) 1

Computer Network Topology
Objectives
Describe
 LAN physical topologies ,

 their uses,

 advantages, and

 disadvantages
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR.- ENGR.) 2
 Computer Network Topology (Contd.)

Why do you study network topology?

 Understand:
 networking design,

 troubleshooting, and

 management

SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR.- ENGR.) 3

 Computer Network Topology (Contd.)

 Physical topology:
• Describes how computers,

other devices, and cables

fit together to form the

physical network.

SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR.- ENGR.) 4

 Computer Network Topology (Contd.)

 Logical topology:
• Describes how users and
programs initially gain
access to the network &

• how specific resources, such as

applications and databases,
are shared on the network.

SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR.- ENGR.) 5

Basic Network Topologies
Types
4. Mesh
1. Bus
5. Hybrid
2. Ring
(Example: star-bus;
3. Star
star- ring)

SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR.- ENGR.) 6

 Bus Network Topology
 Single cable (Coaxial)
• functions as a shared
communication media
bus (Backbone)

SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR.- ENGR.) 7

 Bus Network Topology (Contd.)
 Data transmission –
• Transmission from one station

be received by all other station or

one node broadcasts to entire n/k

• Destination node then picks up the

transmission (frame) and

• Other nodes ignore the message

SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR.- ENGR.) 8
 Bus Network Topology (Contd.)
 Passive Topology
• device do not repeat
(regenerate or amplify)
signal they receive

BNC is used to
branch out to a
connection to a
computer

SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR.- ENGR.) 9

 Bus Network Topology (Contd.)
 Use terminators
• 50-ohm resistors
• Avoids signal bounce b/n
two network ends endlessly

SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR.- ENGR.) 10

 Bus Network Topology (Contd.)
 Must be grounded
at one end
• Help remove static

electricity that could

affect the signal

SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR.- ENGR.) 11

 Bus Network Topology (Contd.)
Advantages
 Simple to design
 Easy to install
 Relatively inexpensive
to set up

SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR.- ENGR.) 12

Bus Network Topology (Contd.)
Disadvantages
 Not secure (allows sniffing)
 More nodes, network’s
performance slows
 Difficult to troubleshoot
 Not very fault-tolerant
(Any defect in the bus
affects the entire network)
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR.- ENGR.) 13
 Ring Network Topology
 Cable connection
• One node to another

( forming a ring)

 Data transmission
• Unidirectional transmission

SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR.- ENGR.) 14

 Ring Network Topology(Contd.)
 Data messages are transmitted in

frames that circulates all the machines

 Each workstation acts as a repeater

for the transmission

 Sent frame circulates back to source

to acknowledge transmission and set free

SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR.- ENGR.) 15

 Ring Network Topology(Contd.)
Active topology
• Workstation participates

in data delivery

• Data stops at destination

Physical medium
•Twisted pair or

•fiber-optic cabling
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR.- ENGR.) 16
 Ring Network Topology(Contd.)
Advantages
 Simple to design
 Easy to install

 Because the interfaces are active,

there is no limitation on the

length of the network

Application: In Token Ring Network SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR.- ENGR.) 17

 Ring Network Topology(Contd.)
Disadvantages
 Single malfunctioning workstation
can disable the entire network
 Pure ring topologies are not very
flexible or scalable.
 Expansion or reconfiguration
affects operation
 Slow for big number of machines
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR.- ENGR.) 18
 Star Network Topology
Star topology
 Each Node connected through central
device (Hub, router, or switch)
 Physical medium used include:
• Twisted pair or fiber-optic cabling
 Require more cabling than bus and
ring topology
 Also require more configuration
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR.- ENGR.) 19
 Star Network Topology (Contd.)
 Use point-to-point connection

(b/n any station & switch )

 Use unidirectional transmission

 Supports baseband and

broadband transmission

SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR.- ENGR.) 20

 Star Network Topology (Contd.)
 Central device include:
Hub or Switch

 Most popular fundamental layout

• Ethernet networks based on star topology

 1024 addressable logical network

nodes maximum

SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR.- ENGR.) 21

 Star Network Topology (Contd.)
Advantages
 Network not affected if one
machine fails
 Simple Network expansion and
reconfiguration
 Allows easy troubleshooting
Disadvantages
 If the central device fails
all the network fails
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR.- ENGR.) 22
 Mesh Network Topology
 Use dedicated point-to-point link
to every other device
 Offers redundancy
 Number of physical links (cables) N
𝒏∗ 𝒏 𝟏
N 𝟐
 N = number of cables

 n = number of connected nodes

SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR.- ENGR.) 23
 Mesh Network Topology (contd.)
Advantages
 Make fault identification and fault
isolation easy
 Secure (High availability)
 Robust. If one link becomes unusable,
it does not incapacitate the entire
system.

SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR.- ENGR.) 24

 Mesh Network Topology (contd.)
Disadvantages
 Expensive
Due to hardware required to connect
each link ( I/O ports and cable)

 Application
As a backbone connecting the main

computers of a hybrid network that

can include several other topologies.

SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR.- ENGR.) 25
Review questions
Part I: Descriptive
1. Define physical topology. Answer: A physical topology describes how the computing devices are physically cabled together
2. Define logical topology. Answer: A logical topology describes how components communicate across the physical topology.
3. Name the four basic network topologies, and cite an advantage of each type.
4. For n devices in a network, what is the number of “cable links” required for a ring, bus, and star topology?Also determine
the total number of ports required for a ring, bus, and star topology
5. Assume six devices are arranged in a mesh topology.
How many cables are needed? How many ports are needed for each device?
6. A network consists of seven computers and a network printer all connected directly to one switch.
Which network topology does this network use?
7. For each of the following four different networks, discuss the consequences if a connection fails.
a. Five devices arranged in a mesh topology
b. Five devices arranged in a star topology (not counting the hub)
c. Five devices arranged in a bus topology
d. Five devices arranged in a ring topology

SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR.- ENGR.) 26

Part II: Multiple choice
1. A _____ topology does not specify device types, connectivity methods, or addressing schemes for the network.
a. Logical b. ring c. physical d. bus
2. The term ______topology refers to the way in which data is transmitted between nodes, rather than the physical layout
of the paths that data takes.
a. logical b. ring c. physical d. bus
3. Which of the following topology share a single channel on which all station can receive and transmit data?
a. Bus b. Ring c. Tree d. Star
4. In which of the following topology every node have a transmitter, receiver and repeater?
a. Bus b. Ring c. Star d. Tree
5. In half duplex data transmission
a. Data can be transmitted in one direction only
b. Data can be transmitted in both directions one at a time
c. Data can be transmitted in free flow
d. None of the above
6. In simplex transmission
a. Data format is simple
b. Data can be transmitted to small distances only
c. Data transmission is one way
d. None of the above ========== The End! ==========
SOURCE: FELEKE MERIN (DR.- ENGR.) 27