Physical topology: Way network is laid out physically

Topology Mesh Star Bus Ring

Characteristic Point-to-point link to every other
device
Advantages - Dedicated link:
direct traffic between
devices
robust: if one link is
unusable, the whole
system is unaffected
privacy/ security of data
easy fault identification/
isolation
Disadvantages - High amount of cables and I/O
ports
(1)
- Duplex mode links:
2
Point-to-point link to a central
controller (hub)
- Less expensive than mesh
topology
- Robust:
if one link fails, only that
link is connected
hub can be used to
monitor link problems
- Dependency on central hub:
if hub goes down, the
whole system is dead
- More cabling is needed than bus
and ring topology
Multipoint : All devices are linked Point-to-point link to two
to one long cable (backbone) neighboring devices
- Ease of installation - Easy to install and reconfigure:
- Less cabling than mesh or star to add/delete device, only
required to changed 2
connections
- Ease fault isolation: since signal
travels through all devices, if one
device does not receive a signal
alarm can be issued
- Limit on number of taps a bus - Unidirectional (one-way) traffic:
can support and distance break in the ring can
between taps: disabled entire network
signal becomes weaker
prevent signal reflection
at the taps
- Difficult reconnection and fault
installation
- To add new device, requires
backbone modification

Practical example Connection of telephone regional Used in LAN Traditional Ethernet LANS Low speed LANs
offices to every other regional
office