Certificate of Competency 2

(COC2): Set-up Computer

Networks
LESSON 2: NETWORK TOPOLOGY
Network Topology
- A network topology is the arrangement of a network,
including its nodes and connecting lines.
Two Ways:
1. Physical Topology - is the actual geometric layout of
workstations.
2. Logical Topology - Logical (or signal) topology refers
to the nature of the paths the signals follow from node
to node.
Bus Topology
It is often used when network installation is small,
simple or temporary. On a typical bus network the cable
is just 1 or more wires with no active electronics to
amplify the signal or pass it along from computer to
computer. This makes the bus a passive topology.
When 1 computer sends a signal up the wire all the
computers receive the information but only one with the
address that matches accepts the information, the rest
disregard the message.
Bus Topology Layout
Advantages of Bus Topology
1) Easy to use and to understand.
2) Requires least amount of cable to connect the
computers together. It is therefore less expensive than
other cabling arrangements.
3) It is easy to extend a bus; two cables can be joined
into 1 longer cable with a BNC (Bayonet Neill–
Concelman), Barrel connector making a longer cable
and allowing more computers to join the network.
Disadvantages of Bus Topology
1) Heavy network traffic can slow a bus
considerably as only 1 computer can send a
message at a time.
2) It is difficult to troubleshoot the bus. A
cable break or loose connector causes
reflection and stops all the activity.
Star Topology
In this kind of topology all the cables run from the computers
to the central location where they are all connected by a device
called hub or switch. Each computer on a star network
communicates with a central device that resends the message
either to each computer or only to the destination computer,
example if it is a hub then it will send to all and if it is a switch then
it will send to only destination computer. When network expansion
is expected and when the greater reliability is needed, star
topology is the best.
Star Topology Layout
Advantages of Star Topology
1) It is easy to modify and add new computers
without disturbing the rest of the network.
2) The centre of the star network is a good place
to diagnose the faults.
3) Single computer failure does not necessarily
bring down the whole star network.
Disadvantages of Star Topology
1) If the central device fails, the whole
network fails to operate.
2) Star networking is expensive because all
network cables must be pulled to one
central point, requires more cable than
other network topologies.
Ring Topology
In this type each computer is connected to the
next computer with the last one connected to the
first. Each retransmits what it receives from the
previous computer. The message flows around the
ring in one direction. The ring network does not
subject to signal loss problem as a bus network
experiences. There is no termination because there
is no end to the ring.
Ring Topology Layout
Advantages of Ring Topology
1) Each node has equal access.
2) Capable of high speed data transfer.
Disadvantages of Ring Topology
1) Failure of one computer on the ring can
affect the whole network.
2) Difficult to troubleshoot the network.
Mesh Topology
A mesh network is a local network
topology in which the infrastructure nodes
connect directly, dynamically and non-
hierarchically to as many other nodes as
possible and cooperate with one another to
efficiently route data from/to clients.
Mesh Topology Layout
Advantages of Mesh Topology
1. Each connection can carry its own
data load
2. It is robust
3. A fault is diagnosed easily
4. Provides security and privacy
Disadvantages of Mesh Topology
1. Installation and configuration are difficult if the
connectivity gets more
2. Cabling cost is more and the most in case of
a fully connected mesh topology
3. Bulk wiring is required
Hybrid Topology
A hybrid topology is a type of network
topology that uses two or more
differing network topologies.
These topologies include a mix of
bus topology, mesh topology, ring topology,
star topology.
Hybrid Topology Layout
Advantages of Hybrid Topology
1. Fault detection and troubleshooting is easy in this type of
topology.
2. Its easy to increase the size of network by adding new
components, without disturbing existing architecture.
3. Hybrid Network can be designed according to the requirements
of the organization and by optimizing the available resources.
4. 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.
Disadvantages of Hybrid Topology
1. One of the biggest drawback of hybrid topology is its design. Its not
easy to design this type of architecture and its a tough job for
designers.
2. Configuration and installation process needs to be very efficient.
3. 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.
4. As hybrid architectures are usually larger in scale, they require a lot
of cables, cooling systems, sophisticated network devices, etc.