What is Network Topology?

Introduction to Network Topology

Network Topology is the structure and arrangement of components of a computer communication system. Internet is the key technology in the present time, and it depends upon the network topology. There are several types of topology available such as bus topology, ring topology, star topology, tree topology, point-to-multipoint topology, point-to-point topology, worldwide-web topology. Local area network (LAN) and Wide area network (WAN) are the commonly used network topology that is installed and configured in the enterprise. Some of the advantages of implementing network topology are proper functioning of a network, upgrading network performance, Reduces operational, implementation and maintenance cost, error or fault detection, effective utilization of resources.

What is Network Topology?

Basically, it is made from two words, Network and Topology. So let’s understand first these two basic terms before jumping to the definition of Network Topology.

Network – Network is an arrangement where two or more computers ( also referred to as nodes ) communicate with each other. These computers or participants nodes actively contribute to the process of communication.

Topology – Topology is simply an arrangement of how these nodes will interact. It is a topology that governs data flow between respective nodes.

Hence, it is an arrangement of two or more nodes communicating with each other, typically over the internet through a particular medium. It helps to communicate between these nodes.

Types of Network Topology

It could be broadly classified into the following different types. These different types are as follows:

• Bus Topology
• Mesh Topology
• Ring Topology
• Star Topology
• Tree Topology
• Point-to-Multipoint Topology
• Point-to-Point Topology
• World-Wide-Web Topology

Let’s discuss each type of topology along with its advantage and disadvantage.

1. Bus Topology

1. A bus topology is a type of network in which each node present for communication is connected to a wire.
2. This wire is responsible for transmitting a message from one participant node to another receiver node.
3. Generally, this wire is termed or known as “Backbone.”
4. The connecting wire is rightly termed as Backbone since the network’s completely smooth working depends upon the backbone wire.
5. It is sometimes also referred to as Line Topology.

Now let us look at a few of its uses, advantages, and disadvantages.

Uses:

1. It is generally used over a small network such as LAN.
2. Here messages need to be transmitted over the limited number of participant nodes.

Advantages:

1. Easy to use and understand
2. Cost-effective
3. Easy to extend the network by simply adding a repeater ( a repeater generally boosts the signal and helps for transmission to longer distances)

Disadvantages:

1. A single cable break will bring down the bus topology.
2. Too many participants nodes make the network slow.

Bonus Point:

Bus topology generally has terminals that absorb the signals so that echoing of the signal does not happen. If echoing is not controlled, then the same signal will repeat to and fro.

2. Mesh Topology

1. As the name suggests, Mesh Topology generally forms a mesh of all the interconnected nodes.
2. Here each node is connected to every other node through a single one-to-one communicating wire.
3. There is a one-to-one mapping between each node.

Now let us look at a few of its uses, advantages, and disadvantages.

Uses:

1. A mesh topology is generally used over a large network where a single node’s breakdown shall not affect the complete network.
2. It is generally used as if a single fault in routes, wires, etc., shall not hamper complete topology.

Advantages:

1. Better fault-tolerance capacity
2. Failure of one participant node or other devices such as routers will not affect the complete network.
3. If there is a breakdown in one path between two nodes, then an alternate path is always available.

Disadvantages:

1. The network becomes too complex as there are large participants nodes.
2. It becomes costly due to the set-up of multiple paths.

3. Ring Topology

1. As the name suggests, ring topology forms a ring by connecting participants’ nodes.
2. Nodes are connected in such a way that a single wire forms the path whose ends are joined to form a circle.
3. Ring topology uses the token concept where the token is transmitted along with the message for the correct delivery of the message.

Now let us look at a few of its uses, advantages, and disadvantages. 

Uses:

1. A ring topology is generally designed in such a way that it forms a ring-type network either physically or logically.
2. These rings are made around campus or buildings to form a high speed flexible, reliable network.

Advantages:

1. No master-slave concept
2. Each node has its own share of responsibility.
3. Could work in a high capacity network

Disadvantages:

1. A single node failure affects the complete network.
2. Sometimes it becomes difficult to troubleshoot if the network is too large.
3. Adding or manipulating the network affects other participants’ nodes.

4. Star Topology

1. A star topology generally consists of a central hub.
2. Every participant node is directly connected to this hub.
3. Hub acts as a central point to receive the message from the sender node and then transmits it to other participant nodes.
4. There is no direct connection between nodes.

Now let us look at a few of its uses, advantages, and disadvantages.

Uses:

1. A general implementation of the star topology is an Ethernet 10BaseT network.

Advantages:

1. A single node failure does not affect the complete network.
2. The network can run smoothly as far as the centralized hub is running smoothly.
3. It is more cost-effective since the centralized network reduces network administration costs highly.

Disadvantages:

1. Failure of the central hub will disrupt the whole topology.
2. It is slightly costly when compared to bus topology.

5. Tree Topology

1. A tree topology is a special type of network where many participants nodes are connected to form a tree type of architecture.
2. Generally, there is a central initiator node that could be compared to the root of a tree.
3. This root node on extending further has different nodes connected to it, which could be compared as branches of a tree.
4. A tree topology is a combination of bus topology and star topology.

Now let us look at a few of its uses, advantages, and disadvantages.

Uses:

1. It is generally used where there is a requirement of communication between two networks.

Advantages:

1. Easily scalable since adding a new node a leaf node is easily possible
2. Leaf nodes could accommodate new nodes, thus forming the hierarchical chain.
3. Other hierarchical nodes do not get affected if particular nodes fail.
4. Easy to debug

Disadvantages:

1. A huge length of wires is required to form the hierarchical chain.
2. A lot of maintenance is required.

6. Point-to-Multipoint Topology

1. A Point-to-Multipoint Topology consists of one node which acts as a sender, and on the other side are multiple nodes that act as a receiver.
2. This communication is opposite to Point-to-Point communication, which is discussed in detail in the next section.

Now let us look at a few of its uses, advantages, and disadvantages.

Uses:

1. A radio channel broadcast or television is a typical example of it.

Advantages:

1. Fast
2. Easy to widespread a message when it needs to broadcast to a large number of nodes.

Disadvantages:

1. Expensive
2. The initial set-up is quite high.

7. Point-to-Point Topology

1. A Point-to-Point Topology consists of two nodes that are communicating directly. A typical example is a telephonic call where two nodes are connected for communication.
2. This communication is opposite to Point-to-many communication, where there are a single sender and multiple receivers.

Now let us look at a few of its uses, advantages, and disadvantages.

Uses:

1. A telephonic call two-way radio communicating is a typical example of it.

Advantages:

1. Fast and secure
2. Single node failure does not affect others.

Disadvantages:

1. Expensive
2. High maintenance cost

8. World-Wide-Web Topology

1. This is one of the most popular and widely implemented types of topology.
2. It is a wide network of interconnected web pages which are connected to each other.
3. These pages are generally connected through hyperlinks.

Now let us look at a few of its uses.

Uses:

The  Bow Tie models and Jellyfish are two attempts at modeling this topology.

Why do we need network topology?

By now, we hope it is quite clear what it means.

• Proper functioning of a network – For proper functioning of a network, it is very much required that each node is bound to other nodes through the proper type of topology. The type of topology implemented greatly affects the proper utilization of devices.
• Plays a crucial role in the functioning of the network – For proper functioning of the network with proper transmitting and receiving of the message, it is very much necessary to pick the right kind of topology to implement
• Helps us to understand networking concepts – To better understand a particular network and how communication is taking place, it is very much necessary to learn and understand underneath topology on which the whole network is implemented.
• Plays a significant role in upgrading network performance – A proper implementation of it greatly improves the performance of the network. A better performing topology helps to steadily improve the speed of how quickly a message is transmitted over the network. Remember, the better the network, the lesser the delay during communication.
• Reduces operational, implementational, and maintenance costs – A correct pick for the type of topology to implement is beneficial at many levels. First of all, it reduces implementation costs at the very initial stage itself. Even in the long run, it greatly reduces operational and maintenance costs.
• Error or fault detection is easy to catch – The choice of picking a good topology proves to be beneficial in every aspect. Even while debugging or finding fault in the topology is quite easy.
• Effective utilization of resources – A good implementation of this topology will also help properly use each resource present over the network. Proper utilization of resources will automatically boil down the operational cost.

How will this technology help in career growth?

Of course, networking is a very hot and discussing topic now. The demand for good network engineers is quite high. The basic cause of this high rise in demand is the growth of the digital network. Today each company, whether traditional or modern, is moving towards digitization. Every company is interested in expanding its network. Hence, there is a demand for good network engineers.

Let’s briefly look into the causes which are responsible for the rise in network engineer demands.

• Maintenance of computer network – The basic and foremost important role of the network engineer is the proper operation of data flow in the network. They are responsible for a fast and secure connection.
• Network Design – A network engineer is sometimes responsible for designing and layout of the network, considering the physical infrastructure of the organization.
• Managing the implementation and keeping it intact – Implementation is done once, but keeping it intact and operational also comes under his role.

Now let us look at different Role Prospects in Computer Networking.

Some of the important designation long with their roles are described below.

• Network Administrator – The basic role of there is to manage and configure local area network as well as wide area network if situation demands
• System Engineer – Sometimes rightly referred to as Network architect, focuses mainly on how data communication will be done or data flow will exist between two participant nodes.
• Network Analyst – Network Analyst, usually referred to as a Network programmer, develops the computing system as per the organization’s need.

Conclusion

It is a rapidly growing technology. To be precise, not only network topology but whole networking is in great demand.

Also, the demand is expected to rise ahead as more and more organizations are moving on the internet. Even a small organization or a small pharmacy now also depends upon the internet for their daily computation tasks.

Many surveys which were conducted recently also state the same.

Until now, we hope you have got a good gist about it, what it is, why is it required, where to use it, and its different types.

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