Xavier University - Ateneo De Cagayan University

College of Engineering
Electronics Engineering Department

Laboratory Experiment #2
NETWORK TOPOLOGY

Submitted by:

Date Submitted:

Rommel Pedraza, BsEcE 5

November 28, 2013

Instructor:
Engr. Ian Giovanni Pabillaran, PECE

Title and Objective

(05):____

Procedure, Data, Results

(20):____

Observation, Analysis

(30):____

Conclusion

(25):____

Tardiness

(10):____

Presentation, Neatness

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Total

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OBJECTIVES
To discuss the physical topologies used in networks
To define the structure of the network.
To know the advantages and disadvantages of types of topologies used in LAN
THEORY
Network Topology
Two or more computers connected together through communication media form a computer
network. The arrangement of computers in a network is called Network Topology. It is a physical
layout of connected computer.
Following are network topologies.
1. Bus topology
2. Star topology
3. Ring topology
4. Mesh topology
5. Hybrid topology
Bus Topology
A bus topology consists of a main run of cable with a terminator at each end. All nodes (file
server, workstations, and peripherals) are connected to the linear cable. 10Base is an example of
a network that would use a bus topology.

Advantages of a Linear Bus Topology

Easy to connect a computer or peripheral to a linear bus.

Requires less cable length than a star topology.

Cheaper compared to start topology

Disadvantages of a Bus Topology

Entire network shuts down if there is a break in the main cable.

Terminators are required at both ends of the backbone cable.

Difficult to identify the problem if the entire network shuts down.

Not meant to be used as a stand-alone solution in a large building.

Bus Network applications

Ethernet and Local Talk networks use a linear bus topology.
Star Topology
A star topology is designed with each computer (file server, workstations, and peripherals)
connected directly to a central network called a hub or a switch.

Advantages of a Star Topology

Easy to install and wire.

No disruptions to the network then connecting or removing devices.

Easy to detect faults and to remove parts.

Disadvantages of a Star Topology

Requires more cable length than a linear topology.

If the hub or concentrator fails, nodes attached are disabled.

More expensive than linear bus topologies because of

Star network applications

Standard twisted-pair Ethernet uses a star topology

Ring Topology

All computers or network devices are attached directly to each other in a ring fashion. An
example is an FDDI (fiber distributed data interface) network, where all the hubs connect to each
other in a ring or a token ring network.
Advantages of a Ring Topology

Easy to install and wire.

Equal Access to devices no one computer will use all the bandwidth

Easy to detect faults and to remove parts.

Disadvantages of a Ring Topology

Slow since signals goes in sequential order

If the MSAU or concentrator fails, nodes attached are disabled.

Single break in cable

Mesh Topology
A mesh topology combines characteristics of bus, ring and star topologies. It consists of groups
of star-configured workstations connected to a linear bus backbone cable and ring networks
Mesh topologies allow for the expansion of an existing network, and enable companies to
configure a network to meet their needs. Internet is the most famous example of a mesh
topology.

Advantages of a Mesh Topology

Point-to-point wiring for individual segments. (redundant)

Supported by several hardware and software venders.

Disadvantages of a Mesh Topology

Overall length of each segment is limited by the type of cabling used.

If the backbone line breaks, the entire segment goes down.

More difficult to configure and wire than other topologies.

Mesh network applications

Wireless mesh network

Wireless community network

Distinct radio node deployments of

Mobile ad hoc network (MANET)

Wireless Mesh Networking

Vehicular ad hoc network :

BioWeb

Intelligent Vehicular AdHoc

Wireless ad hoc network

Network

Hybrid Topology
Hybrid networks use a combination of any two or more topologies in such a way that the
resulting network does not exhibit one of the standard topologies
Two common examples for Hybrid network are: star ring network and star bus network
A Star ring network consists of two or more star topologies connected using a multistation access
unit (MAU) as a centralized hub.

A Star Bus network consists of two or more star topologies connected using a bus trunk (the bus
trunk serves as the network's backbone).
Advantages of Hybrid Network Topology
1) Reliable: Unlike other networks, fault detection and troubleshooting is easy in this type of
topology. The part in which fault is detected can be isolated from the rest of network and
required corrective measures can be taken, WITHOUT affecting the functioning of rest of the
network.

2) Scalable: Its easy to increase the size of network by adding new components, without
disturbing existing architecture.
3) Flexible: Hybrid Network can be designed according to the requirements of the organization
and by optimizing the available resources. Special care can be given to nodes where traffic is
high as well as where chances of fault are high.
4) Effective: Hybrid topology is the combination of two or more topologies, so we can design it
in such a way that strengths of constituent topologies are maximized while there weaknesses are
neutralized. For example we saw Ring Topology has good data reliability (achieved by use of
tokens) and Star topology has high tolerance capability (as each node is not directly connected to
other but through central device), so these two can be used effectively in hybrid star-ring
topology.
Disadvantages of Hybrid Topology
1) Complexity of Design: One of the biggest drawbacks of hybrid topology is its design. Its not
easy to design this type of architecture and its a tough job for designers. Configuration and
installation process needs to be very efficient.
2) Costly Hub: The hubs used to connect two distinct networks, are very expensive. These hubs
are different from usual hubs as they need to be intelligent enough to work with different
architectures and should be function even if a part of network is down.
3) Costly Infrastructure: As hybrid architectures are usually larger in scale, they require a lot of
cables, cooling systems, sophisticate network devices, etc.

http://www.ianswer4u.com/2012/05/hybrid-topology-advantagesand.html#axzz2lqq0uQhK
http://www.sis.pitt.edu/~icucart/networking_basics/networking_topology.html
http://uqu.edu.sa/files2/tiny_mce/plugins/filemanager/files/4280247/networking/Exp
eriment1.pdf
http://ninjacraze.hubpages.com/hub/Network-Topology-and-Types-of-NetworkTopology