EDUCBA

EDUCBA

MENUMENU
  • Free Tutorials
  • Free Courses
  • Certification Courses
  • 600+ Courses All in One Bundle
  • Login

Star Network Topology 

By A. SathyanarayananA. Sathyanarayanan

Home » Software Development » Software Development Tutorials » Computer Tutorial » Star Network Topology 

star network topology

Introduction to Star Network Topology

Star Network Topology plays a pivotal role in connecting various devices to share information in real-time and to execute transactions online. The choice of the topology depends on the physical environment of the organization, end-user requirements and the level of IT investments. It is needless to say that right network topology will have to be selected before installation and it will be too costly to change it later.

Any computer networks can be broadly classified under 3 major categories, namely:

Start Your Free Software Development Course

Web development, programming languages, Software testing & others

  • Ring Topology
  • Star Topology
  • Bus Topology

Out of these three topologies, Star network is used extensively in most Industries, Institutions and Home applications as well.

In this article let us analyze the unique features, pros, and cons of Star Topology.

What is Star Topology?

In this Topology, a set of computer devices are connected individually to central network equipment called Hub or Switch. These Hub/switches are in turn connected to the Datacenter and other service provider networks either directly or through other switches/routers. This physical shape of the network does not look like a star but all the nodes are connected to and controlled centrally by Hub/Switch and hence the name.

This is one of the most traditional topology, used mostly in Local area networks and it was developed over Telecommunication technology where the calls are routed through switching stations centrally and the switch managing the calls.

Popular Course in this category
Windows 10 Training (4 Courses, 4+ Projects)4 Online Courses | 4 Hands-On Projects | 26+ Hours | Verifiable Certificate of Completion | Lifetime Access
4.5 (5,970 ratings)
Course Price

View Course

Related Courses
JWS Java Web Services Training (4 Courses, 11 Projects)Java Training (40 Courses, 29 Projects, 4 Quizzes)

How does it work?

If a computer in an office wants to send a communication to another computer in a remote office, it sends the data along with the recipient address to the Hub/Switch it is connected to. The Hub/Switch transfer the data to the end destination through routers and other network resources and network management software keeps track of the data delivery.

The role of Switches and Hub in data communication is explained below.

1. Hub

Whenever Hub gets a data packet to be transferred to a node, it just sends the packet to all the nodes connected to the Hub and the recipient node only consumes the data. This broadcasting model increases the load in the network as the data is transmitted to all nodes and it results in a collision.

Bandwidth is limited in the nodes served by Hub. There are no management modules and other intelligence functionalities in Hub and the network traffic is heavy due to the broadcasting model it adopts.

2. Switches

Switches get a request from its node for the transfer of data to another node in the network. This request contains a data frame along with the recipient address. The data is transferred through routers/other network resources to that switch where the recipient node is connected.

Each switch maintains a Content Addressable Memory (CAM) table containing the MAC address of the nodes connected to it and the port numbers. Whenever the data frame reaches a switch, the recipient’s address is matched with the Mac addresses in the CAM table and if the match is found the data is transmitted to that node using the port number. Otherwise, the data is broadcasted once to all its node and the recipient node consumes the data and its MAC address is updated in the table for further use.

There is no limit on the bandwidth at its node and it can reach 1Gbps level. Since the data is sent only to the intended node, the load in the network is low when compared to Hub and there is no possibility of collision.

3. Media

Co-axial Cables, Twisted Pair, and Optical fiber are the common media in this network. Shielded or unshielded twist pair copper cabling is used in the star network. One side of this cable is connected to the network card of the devices and the other end is connected to a port in Hub/ Switch.

4. Protocols

Ethernet is the protocol used in the Star network. It uses Carrier sense multiplier access (CSMA) and Carrier detection (CD) access methods. In order to avoid a collision, traffic in the line is checked before sending any data pocket and in case the link is busy the node will wait and resend the data pocket.

Physical layer (L1) protocol of Open System interconnection (OSI) model is used in Hubs in local communication and Data link layer (L2) and Network layer (L3) protocols are used in switches to communicate across LAN and WAN.

Why we use Star Topology?

Star topologies are preferred over others due to its following unique features.

1. Centralization

Hub/Switches acts as a central monitoring agency on the performance of the individual nodes and glitches in the performance can be easily tracked and rectified. If the Switch/Hub are the bottlenecks, the capacity of the Hub/switch can be enhanced.

2. Scalability

New nodes can be easily added in the network without affecting the network performance. Centralized control of the network helps easy manageability and quick scalability of the star network.

3. Maintenance

Each node is connected by a separate link to central Hub in this network and in case of any issues in any of the nodes in the network, the problematic node can be isolated and the rest of the network can function unaffected. This topology is simple to understand and troubleshoot and hence the downtime of these networks is significantly lower.

4. High-performance level

This topology avoids unwanted traffic in the network by sending the data pockets to the target node directly and hence performance of this network is superior to any other topologies. Data packets are delivered to the recipient in the shortest possible time, unlike the other networks.

Disadvantages of Star Topology

The disadvantages of the following are given below:

1. Higher Cost

This network is expensive when compared to other topologies for two reasons: 1. Consumes more cable length due to its nature of architecture, 2. Hub/Switch is a very costly network equipment.

2. Central Hub/Switch is everything

The whole network revolves around the functioning of central equipment and any failure in this will bring the network to halt and it is a single point of failure. The performance of the network solely depends on the ability of the central Hub to manage the existing communication load effectively and accommodate the addition of new nodes.

Conclusion

Star Topology is widely used in local area network and it is also used in conjunction with bus topology as a hybrid network.

Recommended Articles

This is a guide to Star Network Topology. Here we discuss the introduction, Why we use Star topology? along with disadvantages. You can also go through our other related articles to learn more –

  1. Uses of the Internet
  2. Tableau Action Filter
  3. Networking Devices
  4. Decision Tree in Data Mining

All in One Software Development Bundle (600+ Courses, 50+ projects)

600+ Online Courses

50+ projects

3000+ Hours

Verifiable Certificates

Lifetime Access

Learn More

0 Shares
Share
Tweet
Share
Primary Sidebar
Computer Tutorial
  • Computer Basics
    • New Technologies of Computer
    • Application of Computer Graphics
    • Types of Computer Architecture
    • Types of Computer Software
    • Line Drawing Algorithm
    • SOAP Web Services Interview Questions
    • Web Services Interview Questions
    • Microservices Interview Questions
    • What is Windows 10?
    • Windows 10 Desktop Mode
    • Windows Commands  
    • Windows Interview Questions
    • Windows Networking Commands
    • Windows Operators
    • Windows Server Interview Questions
    • Introduction to Windows
    • Top Windows Phone Apps
    • Windows Monitoring Tool
    • Productivity tricks for Windows 10
    • Computer Network Advantages and Disadvantages
    • Computer Network Interview Questions
    • Introduction To Computer Network
    • What is Embedded Systems
    • Components of Embedded System
    • Embedded Systems Security
    • Types of Computer Network
    • Types of Computer Operating System
    • Evolution of Operating System
    • NAS Storage Device
    • Windows Administrator Interview
    • Types of Communication Network
    • What is Automata
    • Types of Mainframe Computers
    • Types of Computer Hardware
    • Types of Sensors
    • What is Server
    • What is RPC
    • What is Microservices
    • Types of Computer Virus
    • Types of Computer Keyboard
    • Types of Motherboard
    • Sensor Device
    • What is Computer Graphic Design
    • Computer Architecture Interview
    • What is Computer Science?
    • What is Bluetooth?
    • What is VLAN?
    • Types of VLAN
    • Types of LAN
    • How does LAN switches work
    • What is VLAN Network?
    • What is Native VLAN?
    • How does LAN Switches work?
    • Switching Modes
    • What is Storage?
    • What is Object Storage?
    • What is Block Storage?
    • Block Level Storage
    • Cordova Local Storage
    • Threads in Operating System
    • What is Gateway?
    • What is Ethernet?
    • What is Virtual Machine?
    • What is a Trunk Port?
    • VPN Applications for Android
    • What is a NAS Drive?
    • What is Ring Topology?
    • Point to Point Topology
    • What is Mesh Topology?
    • Extended Star Topology
    • Token Ring Topology
    • Physical Topology
    • What is a Hybrid Topology?
    • Hybrid Network Topology
    • Star Network Topology
    • Star Bus Topology
    • Zariski Topology
    • Ethernet Topology
    • Logical Topology
    • Partial Mesh Topology
    • Types of Computer Cables
    • Types of Computer Language
    • Features of Operating System
    • Functions of Operating System
    • Multithreading in Operating System
    • Ethernet Frame Format
    • Types of Memory in Computer
    • What is Heap Memory?
    • What is Register?
    • Types of Registers
    • What is Arduino?
    • Arduino Operators
    • What is iSCSI?
    • Computer Science Interview Questions
    • Types of USB Ports
    • What is Port
    • Daisy Chain Network
    • What is a Monitor?
    • What is Printer?
    • Types of Printers
    • What is WPS
    • What is Mouse?
    • Types of Socket
    • Transmission Modes
    • Computers Output Devices
    • Memory Units
    • Secondary Memory
    • What is Memory Card?
    • Types of Memory Cards
    • What is Intranet?
    • Central Processing Unit
    • Computer Ports
    • What is CPU Register
    • Types of CPU
    • Types of Compact Disc
    • Cache Memory Types
    • What is a Motherboard?
    • Types of LED
    • Types of Processor
    • Types of Primary Memory
    • Helpdesk Tool
    • What is Optical Fiber?

Related Courses

Windows 10 Training Course

Java Web Services Training Course

Java Training Course

Footer
About Us
  • Blog
  • Who is EDUCBA?
  • Sign Up
  • Corporate Training
  • Certificate from Top Institutions
  • Contact Us
  • Verifiable Certificate
  • Reviews
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  •  
Apps
  • iPhone & iPad
  • Android
Resources
  • Free Courses
  • Java Tutorials
  • Python Tutorials
  • All Tutorials
Certification Courses
  • All Courses
  • Software Development Course - All in One Bundle
  • Become a Python Developer
  • Java Course
  • Become a Selenium Automation Tester
  • Become an IoT Developer
  • ASP.NET Course
  • VB.NET Course
  • PHP Course

© 2020 - EDUCBA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THE CERTIFICATION NAMES ARE THE TRADEMARKS OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS.

EDUCBA Login

Forgot Password?

EDUCBA
Free Software Development Course

Web development, programming languages, Software testing & others

*Please provide your correct email id. Login details for this Free course will be emailed to you
Book Your One Instructor : One Learner Free Class

Let’s Get Started

This website or its third-party tools use cookies, which are necessary to its functioning and required to achieve the purposes illustrated in the cookie policy. By closing this banner, scrolling this page, clicking a link or continuing to browse otherwise, you agree to our Privacy Policy

EDUCBA

*Please provide your correct email id. Login details for this Free course will be emailed to you
EDUCBA
Free Software Development Course

Web development, programming languages, Software testing & others

*Please provide your correct email id. Login details for this Free course will be emailed to you

Special Offer - Windows 10 Training Course Learn More