Networking Topologies

There are more than one ways to connect the computers with each other. The way in which, we used to connect our computer is called “Topology”. Or in other words, the “Physical layout for a network” is called network topology. Here we will discuss most common topologies one by one.
Bus Topology
In bus topology we use wire as a backbone. The recommended backbone wire is thick-wire with 4” dia. So, this wire is the medium of communication and the other terminals are connected to this wire (backbone) with thin-wires the both corners of backbone wire are closed with device called terminator. These terminators are designed to absorb the signals from the both ends. Now one of the terminals attached to the network sends data along with the particular address of the desired terminal. This data goes to all the terminals but only that terminal receives the data which’s address is attached along with the data. So, at a time, only one communication could be performed so, due to this reason bus topology is little bit slow but it is recommended where the number of terminals are small.
Ring Topology
The Ring Topology is another way to establish a network. In this topology every computer is connected to the next computer and the last computer is connected to the first computer, in this way the ring of the computers complete. Now the one of the computer pass the data/information to the next computer. The next computer receives that data if the next computer is the destination of data, it means the communication completed, but if the next computer is not the destination of data, that computer will pass the information or data to the next computer and this process (receiving the data, check it and pass it to the next computer) will continue until the destination computer receives the data. The next activity will be start when the previous one is completed successfully. The major disadvantage in this type of topology is it that if one of the computer or nodes is out of order, the entire network will also falls down. Furthermore, the troubleshooting and adding or removing the computer is also difficult task
Star Topology
In Star Topology all computer connected a device called “Hub”. The computer send information/data to the Hub and then hub transfers that data to its destination. As for as the advantages of this topology are concerned, first of all it is easy to setup and maintain. We can detect the troubleshooting easily as compare to the previously discussed topologies. And the failure of one computer will not be the cause of entire network failure. It is also easy to adding or removing computers in the network. Simply, we can attach the more computers to the hub as well as remove the computer for it. But on the other hand, this topology is costly as compare to the previously described. First of all, we need a costly hub then the more cables are required in this topology.
Tree Topology
The Tree Topology is the combination of two (Previously discussed) topologies, Bus Topology and the Star Topology. Firs, we configure different star topologies and then we connect these star configured topologies to a backbone wire. In simple, words, we can explain that same like bus topology we connect group of computer (connected with each others using star topology) where as in simple bus topology, we connect single computer to the backbone wire. If we talk about the advantages of this tree topology, its main advantage is it that it can support a large numbers of computers. But on the other hand, it is very difficult to setup and configure and the fault in the main wire (Backbone) will shut down the entire network.
Mesh Topology
In Mesh topology ever computer is directly connected to the other computers on the network. So, it is easy to communicate with one and other computers. Furthermore, there are more options (ways) available for the data/information to reach on its destination. So, its fast in speed and the fault in one computer does not effect on the entire network. But it is difficult to setup and configure if the number of nodes is large.
So, these were the main and commonly used networking topologies.