What does "topology" mean?

A computer network is made of computers which are linked to one another with
communication lines (network cables, etc.) and hardware elements (network adapters, as
well as other equipment for ensuring that data travels correctly). The physical
arrangement — that is, the spatial configuration of the network — is called the physical
topology.

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. )

Network Categories

There are two main types of network categories which are:

Server based

• Peer-to-peer

• 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 services
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

Computer network topologies can be categorized in the following categories.

* Bus topology
* Star topology
* Ring topology
* Tree topology
* Mesh topology

Hybrid networks are the complex networks, which can be built of two or more above
mentioned topologies.

• The logical topology, as opposed to the physical topology, refers to way that data
travels along communication lines. The most common logical topologies are
Ethernet, Token Ring and FDDI.
Bus Topology

Bus topology is the simplest way a network can be organized. In bus topology, all
computers are linked to the same transmission line by using a cable, usually coaxial. The
word "bus" refers to the physical line that joins all the machines on the network.

The advantages of this topology are that it is easy to implement and functions easily;
on the other hand, it is highly vulnerable, since if one of the connections is defective, the
whole network is affected.

Star Topology

In star topology, the network computers are linked to a piece of hardware called a hub.
This is a box which contains a certain number of sockets into which cables coming out of
the computers can be plugged. Its role is to ensure communications between those
sockets.

Unlike networks built with bus topology, networks which use star topology are much less
vulnerable, as one of the connections can easily be removed by disconnecting it from the
hub, without paralyzing the rest of the network.

The critical point in this network is the hub, as without it, communication between the
computers on the network is no longer possible. However, a star topology network is
bulkier than a bus network, as additional hardware is required (the hub).

Ring Topology

In a ring-topology network, computers each take turns communicating, creating a loop of

computers in which they each "have their turn to speak" one after another.

In reality, ring topology networks are not linked together in loops. They are actually
linked to a distributor (called a MAU, Multistation Access Unit) which manages
communication between the computers linked to it, by giving each of them time to
"speak."

distributor
The two main logical topologies which use this physical topology are Token ring and
FDDI.
Tree Topology

Tree topologies are comprised of the multiple star topologies on a bus. Tree topologies
integrate multiple star topologies together onto a bus. Only the hub devices can connect
directly with the tree bus and each Hub functions as a root of a tree of the network
devices. This bus/star/hybrid combination supports future expandability of the computer
networks, much better than a bus or star.

Mesh Topology

Mesh topology work on the concept of routes. In Mesh topology, message sent to the
destination can take any possible shortest, easiest route to reach its destination.

In the previous topologies star and bus, messages are usually broadcasted to every
computer, especially in bus topology.

Similarly in the Ring topology message can travel in only one direction i.e clockwise or
anticlockwise. Internet employs the Mesh topology and the message finds its route for its
destination.

Router works in find the routes for the messages and in reaching them to their
destinations. The topology in which every device connects to every other device is called
a full Mesh topology unlike in the partial mesh in which every device is indirectly
connected to the other devices.