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A Review-Analysis of Network Topologies for Microenterprises

Conference Paper · July 2016

DOI: 10.14257/astl.2016.135.42

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 Advanced Science and Technology Letters
Vol.135 (CES-CUBE 2016), pp.175-180
http://dx.doi.org/10.14257/astl.2016.135.42

A Review-Analysis of Network Topologies for

Microenterprises

Francis Pol Lim

Faculty of Busines Administration, AMA University

# 59, Panay Ave., Quezon City, Philippines
limfrancispol19@gmail.com

Abstract. This paper evaluates and analyzes the basic types of network
topologies which include the bus, star, ring and mesh topology. This article
furthermore discusses each topology’s advantages and disadvantages when
used. A summary of analysis was also made in a tabular form in order to
condense and make it easier to understand things. After that, the paper
discusses different situations where a certain topology can be utilized.

Keywords: Network topologies, wired network, microenterprises

1 Introduction

Nowadays, wireless connections are already utilized but it does mean that everyone is
using this. There are still business entities that could not afford to use this type of
systems and so they prefer to use the wired connections. Wired connections include
the Local Area Network. This is a computer network that interconnects devices within
a limited area such as a residence, school, laboratory, university campus or office
building [1].
Businesses may be classified based on the amount of capitalization. In the
Philippine context, according to the Republic Act No. 9178, we have the following
classifications shown on Table 1.

Table 1. Classification of Business According to Asset Size

Classification Bracket
Micro Below Php 3,000,000
Small 3,000,001 - 15,000,000
Medium 15,000,001 - 100,000,000
Large Above 100,000,000

This study may surely benefit people from microenterprises. Others businesses
having higher amount of assets can already afford the latest technologies but they can
still opt with the classical if they want.

ISSN: 2287-1233 ASTL

Copyright © 2016 SERSC
Advanced Science and Technology Letters
Vol.135 (CES-CUBE 2016)

2 Network Topology Analysis

So for the network topology, we have the bus, star, ring and mesh topology [2-4]
which is also shown from Figure 1-4.

2.1 Bus Topology

In this type of topology, a single network cable runs in the building or campus called
the bus or backbone [2]. Each device can be simply connected to the backbone.
End End

Drop Line Drop Line

Fig. 1. Bus Topology

Advantages
This type of topology is reliable in very small networks and it is easy to use and
understand. This also requires the least amount of cables to connect the computers
together and it’s easy to extend.

Disadvantages
Because of the fact that any computer in the network can transmit data at any time,
network traffic can slow down a bus. Also, each connection between two cables can
deteriorate the electrical signal. In this type of topology, the bus configuration can
be difficult to find and can cause the whole network to stop working

2.2 Star Topology

In this type of topology, each of the devices on a network connects to a central hub.
This hub acts as a conduit to transmit messages.

176 Copyright © 2016 SERSC

 Advanced Science and Technology Letters
Vol.135 (CES-CUBE 2016)

HUB

Fig. 2. Star Topology

Advantages
In a star topology, if one of the computers fails, it does not affect the others and
this also contributes to its good performance. The center of a star network is a good
place to diagnose network faults and if one computer fails, the whole network is not
disturbed. Replacement or removal of devices can be easily done.

Disadvantages
This type of topology is expensive to install as it requires more cable, it costs more
for all network cables must be pulled to one central point. This requires more cable
length than other types of networking topologies. Since the network depends upon the
hub, or the central node, if it fails to operate, then the whole network also fails to
operate.

2. Ring Topology

In a ring topology all of the nodes or devices are connected to the devices on each of
their side.

Fig. 3. Ring Topology

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Advanced Science and Technology Letters
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Advantages
In this type of topology, the ring network offers high performance for a small
number of workstations or for larger networks where each station has a similar
workload. The ring networks can also span longer distances compared to other types
of networks and these are also easily extendable. Unlike a bus topology, there is no
signal loss in Ring topology because the tokens are data packets that are re-generated
at each node.

Disadvantages
This type of topology costs much money, time and effort for its installation. If
one computer fails, it can affect the whole network and it is difficult to find fault in
the network. The whole system is disrupted when computers are being added or
replaced in the network. This is much slower than an Ethernet network under normal
load.

2.4 Mesh Topology

In a mesh topology each device is capable of connecting to any of the devices inside
the network.

Fig. 4. Mesh Topology

Advantages
This type of topology yields the greatest amount of redundancy in the event that
one of the nodes fails where network traffic can be redirected to another node. This is
a good system when it comes to privacy because each computer can interact with each
other anytime without the knowledge of the parties that are not involved in the
conversation. Here, the network problems are easier to diagnose.

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Disadvantages
The amount of cable requirement is very high and costly and large numbers of
input/output ports are required.

2.5 Analysis

Now that we already have finished discussing the four topologies, let’s now
summarize these things into a table [3]. Table 1 shows the basic analysis derived
from the topics above.

Table 1. Analysis of Different Topologies

Parameter BUS STAR RING MESH

Installation Easy Easy Difficult Difficult
Cost inexpensive expensive moderate expensive
Flexible yes yes no no
Reliability moderate high high high
Extension easy easy easy difficult
Robust no yes no yes

4 Choosing Network Topology for Business

Many factors may be considered when deciding what type of topology you will be
using to support your business operations. This may include the number of the
people that will be participating in the operation, your office layout physical space
and compatibility. Discussed lately were the common or basic types of topologies
which includes bus, star, ring and mesh topology which have different advantages.
For the network scale consideration, you should think about the number of devices
that you will be employing in your network. If you just need a few devices, then a
bus topology may be good. Next is to think of is the traffic management and the
level of traffic that you can have in your network. If you want that servers would
handle large flows of network traffic while having many devices connected, then a
star topology may be a good approach to adapt. This involves the utilization of a
central hub with Ethernet and unshielded twisted pair cables to link up devices on a
point to point basis. If you want to have large networks having complex levels of
administrative access, you may consider employing the mesh topology which
involves connections on a logical network layer. This can include a full mesh that
forms a high speed network backbone, or a partial mesh wherein computers are being
linked to support simultaneous data exchanges. In order to boost the security of the
network topology, you may consider utilizing a closed loop network or ring topology.
In this part, the information would only flow in one direction around the topology.
This also means that confidential information can be set up to appear only on the
specified devices. If you need to gradually expand your network, you can try on
combining the basic types of topology to make a hybrid one. This approach can
enable you to consolidate numerous segments of a network into one system. Now

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 Advanced Science and Technology Letters
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the big question here will be, you’re your methods considered as practical? If yes,
that’s good you may pursue it but must consider one most important thing. In
business we must always see to it that our decisions are in accordance to the cost-
benefit principle. This means that the cost of your system must not exceed its
benefit, otherwise you will be incurring loses.

4 Conclusion

The selection of LAN Network topology would depend on many considerations upon
the business situation but the cost benefit principle must always be applied when
deciding things regarding the business. These types of networks may seem
traditional but it can surely be utilized for microenterprises, other business levels can
also use it depending on their discretion. The modernization of technology may not
be that applicable to all because many constraints may be considered such as budgets
and ability to adapt technology.
Overall, the researcher suggests further analysis of your business situation before
deciding what topology to use. But in case that your first attempt may not be that
effective, there is always another chance to improve it. Before having a stable
system, it is natural that we may be in a trial and error method first.

References

1. Donahue, G.A.: “Network Warrior”, O'Reilly, (2007), p. 5.

2. Santra, S., Acharjya, P.P.: “A Study And Analysis on Computer Network Topology For
Data Communication”, International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced
Engineering vol. 3, no. 1, (2013).
3. Sisht, N., Singh, S.: “Analytical study of different network topologies”, International
Research Journal of Engineering and Technology vol. 2, no. 1, (2015).
4. Pandya, K.: “Network Structure Theory”, International Journal of Advance Research in
Computer Science and Management Studies, vol. 1, no. 2, (2013), pp. 21-27.

180 Copyright © 2016 SERSC

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