In computer networking, topology refers to the layout of connected devices.

This article introduces

the standard topologies of networking.

What is Network Topology

The physical topology of a network refers to the configuration of cables, computers, and other
peripherals. Physical topology should not be confused with logical topology which is the method
used to pass information between workstations. Logical topology was discussed in the Protocol
chapter.
Main Types of Network Topologies In networking, the term "topology" refers to the layout of
connected devices on a network. This article introduces the standard topologies of computer
networking.
One can think of a topology as a network's virtual shape or structure. This shape does not
necessarily correspond to the actual physical layout of the devices on the network. For example, the
computers on a home LAN may be arranged in a circle in a family room, but it would be highly
unlikely to find an actual ring topology there.
Network topologies are categorized into the following basic types:
• bus
• ring
• star
• tree
• mesh
More complex networks can be built as hybrids of two or more of the above basic topologies.

Bus Topology
Bus networks (not to be confused with the system bus of a computer) use a common
backbone to connect all devices. A single cable, the backbone functions as a shared communication
medium that devices attach or tap into with an interface connector. A device wanting to
communicate with another device on the network sends a broadcast message onto the wire that all
other devices see, but only the intended recipient actually accepts and processes the message.
Ethernet bus topologies are relatively easy to install and don't require much cabling compared to the
alternatives. 10Base-2 ("ThinNet") and 10Base-5 ("ThickNet") both were popular Ethernet cabling
options many years ago for bus topologies. However, bus networks work best with a limited number
of devices. If more than a few dozen computers are added to a network bus, performance problems
will likely result. In addition, if the backbone cable fails, the entire network effectively becomes
unusable.

This diagram illustrates the bus network topology. A bus topology such as 10Base-2 or
10Base-5 Ethernet uses a single communication backbone for all devices.
Advantages
It is easy to handle and implement.
It is best suited for small networks.

Disadvantages
The cable length is limited. This limits the number of stations that can be connected.
This network topology can perform well only for a limited number of nodes.

Ring Topology

Ring topologies are used on token ring networks. Each device processes and retransmits the
signal, so it is capable of supporting many devices in a somewhat slow but very orderly fashion. A
token, or small data packet, is continuously passed around the network. When a device needs to
transmit, it reserves the token for the next trip around, then attaches its data packet to it. The
receiving device sends back the packet with an acknowledgment of receipt, then the sending device
puts the token back out on the network. Most token ring networks have the physical cabling of a
star topology and the logical function of a ring through use of multi access units (MAU). In a ring
topology, the network signal is passed through each network card of each device and passed on to
the next device. All devices have a cable home runned back to the MAU. The MAU makes a logical
ring connection between the devices internally. When each device signs on or off, it sends an
electrical signal which trips mechanical switches inside the MAU to either connect the device to the
ring or drop it off the ring. The most common type of cabling used for token ring networks is
twisted pair, although there are nine different types that can be used. With IBM Type 1 Shielded
cable, you can have up to 33 network segments with 260 devices on each. Transmission rates are at
either 4 or 16 megabits per second.

This diagram illustrates the ring network topology. A ring topology such as FDDI or SONET sends
messages clockwise or counterclockwise through the shared link.

Advantages

• Very orderly network where every device has access to the token and the opportunity to
transmit
• Performs better than a star topology under heavy network load
• Can create much larger network using Token Ring
Disadvantages
• One malfunctioning workstation or bad port in the MAU can create problems for the entire
network
• Moves, adds and changes of devices can affect the network
• Network adapter cards and MAU's are much more expensive than Ethernet cards and hubs
• Much slower than an Ethernet network under normal load

Star Topology

In a star topology, each network device has a home run of cabling back to a network hub,
giving each device a separate connection to the network. If there is a problem with a cable, it will
generally not affect the rest of the network. The most common cable media in use for star
topologies is unshielded twisted pair copper cabling. Category 3 is still found frequently in older
installations. It is capable of 10 megabits per second data transfer rate, making it suitable for only
10 BASE T Ethernet. Most new installations use Category 5 cabling. It is capable of data transfer
rates of 100 megabits per second, enabling it to employ 100 BASE T Ethernet, also known as Fast
Ethernet. More importantly, the brand new 1000 BASE T Ethernet standard will be able to run over
most existing Category 5. Finally, fiber optic cable can be used to transmit either 10 BASE T or 100
BASE T Ethernet frames.
Two variations of the star topology used by most larger Ethernet networks today are the star bus and
star tree topologies. Essentially, the star bus topology has multiple data closets interconnected by
bus trunk lines of thin net, while the star tree topology links multiple data closets with twisted pair
or fiber optic. These types of network topologies allow a network to cover a much larger physical
area.
There are size limitations to star topologies utilizing Ethernet. The maximum number of network
devices is 1,024 and the maximum number of data closets is four. When using Category 3 or 5
twisted pair cabling, individual cables cannot exceed 100 meters. In regard to total network length,
the maximum when linking data closets with twisted pair is 500 meters between the furthest two
devices. If multi-mode fiber optic is used to link closets, then the distance between closets can be up
to 2,000 meters.

Advantages
 More suited for larger networks
 Easy to expand network
 Easy to troubleshoot because problem usually isolates itself
 Cabling types can be mixed
Disadvantages
 Hubs become a single point of network failure, not the cabling
 Cabling more expensive due to home run needed for every device
Tree Topology
Among all the Network Topologies we can derive that the Tree Topology is a combination of
the bus and the Star Topology. The tree like structure allows you to have many servers on the
network and you can branch out the network in many ways. This is particularly helpful for colleges,
universities and schools so that each of the branches can identify the relevant systems in their own
network and yet connect to the big network in some way.

A Tree Structure suits best when the network is widely spread and vastly divided into many
branches. Like any other topologies, the Tree Topology has its advantages and disadvantages. A
Tree Network may not suit small networks and it may be a waste of cable to use it for small
networks. Tree Topology has some limitations and the configuration should suit those limitations.

This diagram illustrates the star network topology. A star topology typically uses a network hub or
switch and is common in home networks.

Advantages
• Point-to-point wiring for individual segments.
• Supported by several hardware and software venders.

Disadvantages
• 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 Topology
Mesh Network is a network where all the nodes are connected to each other and is a
complete network. In a Mesh Network every node is connected to other nodes on the network
through hops. Some are connected through single hops and some may be connected with more than
one hope.

While the data is traveling on the Mesh Network it is automatically configured to reach the
destination by taking the shortest route which means the least number of hops. Data travels by
hopping from one node to another and then reaches the destination node in a Mesh Topology
Network.

An example of a Mesh Network is the Mobile Adhoc Network or MANet. The entire Mesh
Network is continuously connected. Being completely connected does not mean that Mesh Network
is dependant on each and every node of the network. Even if one node fails in the Mesh Network
the network finds an alternate route to transfer the data. It is called the self healing technology
where it receives data one way or the other.

The Mesh Network is based on a very sensible concept and has lesser chances of a network
breakdown. There are so many possible combinations of routes and hops a data transfer can take
that it will reach the destination one way or the other. It is highly unlikely that all the nodes in a
single Mesh Network will break down at any given point of time.

This diagram illustrates the mesh network topology. A mesh topology provides redundant
communication paths between some or all devices (partial or full mesh).

Advantages:
No traffic problem as there are dedicated links.
Robust as failure of one link does not affect the entire system.
 Security as data travels along a dedicated line.
Points to point links make fault identification easy.

Disadvantages:
The hardware is expansive as there is dedicated link for any two nodes and each device should
have (n-1) I/O ports.
There is mesh of wiring which can be difficult to manage.
Installation is complex as each node is connected to every node.
Hybrid Topology
A combination of any two or more network topologies. Note 1: Instances can occur where two basic
network topologies, when connected together, can still retain the basic network character, and
therefore not be a hybrid network. For example, a tree network connected to a tree network is still a
tree network. Therefore, a hybrid network accrues only when two basic networks are connected and
the resulting network topology fails to meet one of the basic topology definitions. For example, two
star networks connected together exhibit hybrid network topologies. Note 2: A hybrid topology
always accrues when two different basic network topologies are connected.
5-4-3 Rule
A consideration in setting up a tree topology using Ethernet protocol is the 5-4-3 rule. One aspect of
the Ethernet protocol requires that a signal sent out on the network cable reach every part of the
network within a specified length of time. Each concentrator or repeater that a signal goes through
adds a small amount of time. This leads to the rule that between any two nodes on the network there
can only be a maximum of 5 segments, connected through 4 repeaters/concentrators. In addition,
only 3 of the segments may be populated (trunk) segments if they are made of coaxial cable. A
populated segment is one which has one or more nodes attached to it . In Figure 4, the 5-4-3 rule is
adhered to. The furthest two nodes on the network have 4 segments and 3 repeaters/concentrators
between them.
This rule does not apply to other network protocols or Ethernet networks where all fiber optic
cabling or a combination of a fiber backbone with UTP cabling is used. If there is a combination of
fiber optic backbone and UTP cabling, the rule is simply translated to 7-6-5 rule.

Advantages
· It provides a better result by it.
· It can be designed in many ways for various purposes.
Disadvantages
· It is costly.
Difficult to identify the problem if the entire network shuts down.
Considerations When Choosing a Topology

• Money. A linear bus network may be the least expensive way to install a network; you do
not have to purchase concentrators.
• Length of cable needed. The linear bus network uses shorter lengths of cable.
• Future growth. With a star topology, expanding a network is easily done by adding another
concentrator.
• Cable type. The most common cable in schools is unshielded twisted pair, which is most
often used with star topologies.
Other definition of Network Topology
A network consists of multiple computers connected using some type of interface, each having one
or more interface devices such as a Network Interface Card (NIC) and/or a serial device for PPP
networking. Each computer is supported by network software that provides the server or client
functionality. The hardware used to transmit data across the network is called the media. It may
include copper cable, fiber optic, or wireless transmission. The standard cabling used for the
purposes of this document is 10Base-T category 5 Ethernet cable. This is twisted copper cabling
which appears at the surface to look similar to TV coaxial cable. It is terminated on each end by a
connector that looks much like a phone connector. Its maximum segment length is 100 meters.
In a server based network, there are computers set up to be primary providers of services such as
file service or mail service. The computers providing the service are are called servers and the
computers that request and use the service are called client computers.
In a peer-to-peer network, various computers on the network can act both as clients and servers. For
instance, many Microsoft Windows based computers will allow file and print sharing. These
computers can act both as a client and a server and are also referred to as peers. Many networks are
combination peer-to-peer and server based networks. The network operating system uses a network
data protocol to communicate on the network to other computers. The network operating system
supports the applications on that computer. A Network Operating System (NOS) includes Windows
NT, Novell Netware, Linux, Unix and others.

Summary
Topologies remain an important part of network design theory. You can probably build a home or
small business computer network without understanding the difference between a bus design and a
star design, but becoming familiar with the standard topologies gives you a better understanding of
important networking concepts like hubs, broadcasts, and routes.