WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF NETWORK TOLOPOGY?

 NETWORK TOPOLOGIES

WHAT IS A NETWORK TOPOLOGY?                   

  ✓Network Topology refers to the layout or structure of the network in relation with the          flow of data. It is the way in which the elements such as computers, printers, servers and other computing appliances are arranged in a network. In this instance, you take note not only of the device's location but also how it is connected to the network the type of cable in use and its layout.

THERE ARE 5 TYPES OF NETWORK TOPOLOGIES 

• Linear Bus Topology                            • Star Topology

• Ring Topology                                        • Mesh Topology

                                    • Hybrid Topology

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 LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF NETWORK TOPOLOGIES

LINEAR BUS TOPOLOGY 

✓ It is uses one long cable, referred to as a backbone, to which computers and other devices are attached. A terminator is placed at each end of the backbone to keep the signals from bouncing back and being received again by the nodes (such as server, clients, scanner, etc.) in the network.                                                                                                                                                           

        Advantage of Linear Bus Topology         

✓ It requires less cable length than star topology, which is the most commonly used applied topology.

     Disadvantage of Linear Bus Topology 

✓the entire network shuts down if there is a break in the backbone.

 

                                                   STAR TOPOLOGY  

✓It uses a central device called a hub (a more efficient device called "switch" is also used) with cables extending in all directions each network device is connected directly to the hub. Data from a computer passes through the hub or switch before it can reach the other target node.

     Advantages of Star Topology

 ✓Lack of the disruptions to the network when connecting or removing device.

 

   Disadvantages of Star Topology

✓If the hub fails, attached nodes will not be able to use the network resources.

✓This illustration of a star network consists of one central device such as a switch, hub, or even computer with end-users, file servers, printers, etc. sitting at the edge. The centrally located appliance functions as a shared device to transmit data among the end-users. This obviously means that all data passes to and from this central device, which arbitrates data communication between the various devices even if they are all sending and transmitting at the same time. Keep in mind that using an ordinary central hub rebroadcast all transmission received from any edge node to all other nodes on the network when applied to a bus-based network.  Although at least pair cable is commonly used, it is not unusual to find either a coaxial cable or an optical fiber network in a star topology.

RING TOPOLOGY

✓It is a type of network topology wherein nodes are connected to each other forming one contiguous pathway in a ring formation. In other words, data need to travel from one nodes to the next, with each receiving data traffic and passing it long to the next until it reaches its final destination. A ring network would resemble this circle symbol.

✓A ring network operates on the principle of a single pathway. If a note fails then the entire link gets disrupted.     ✓Some network such as Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI) networks avoid this by passing data either clockwise or counterclockwise depending on the situation. By doing this, and FDDI network can send data the other way to connect to the nodes from the other direction. The end result might resemble a "C-Ring". FDDI and other more resilient types of a ring network at the "counter-rotating ring" to form a more robust architecture. Other examples of "dual ring" networks includes Spatial Reuse Protocol and Resilient Packet Ring.

✓NOTE: FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface) is a set of standards for data transmission on fiber optic lines in a Local Area Network (LAN) that can extend in a range up to 200km (124miles). The more common form of ring network is known as the IBM Token Ring under the IEEE802.5 standard.

 Advantages of a ring topology                ✓ each repeater duplicates the data signals so that there is very little signal degradation.

                                                          Disadvantages of a ring topology  

✓a break in the ring can disable the entire network just like the linear bus. 

 If a note fails then the entire link gets disrupted.                                                                                        

                                                 

                                                                 MESH TOPOLOGY

    

✓Originally conceived for military applications, mesh networks are structures wherein all the nodes on the network can route data traffic on their own. This makes them more reliable and resilient than ordinary network topologies. Think of it this way: edge nodes on the a typical star network must pass through the central device if it's wants to connect to a file server, a printer, or another pc connected to the network. 

The central device handles all data traffic and user request. If the connection to the central hub breaks down, then all communication is lost between that node and the network. In a mesh configuration, nodes are interconnected to each other with each node having the capability to independently process and forward requests not just for its own use, but even manage and service requests for other nodes on the network. In its simplest form, a mesh network looks like this:

✓Mesh architectures are usually used in a wireless network such as those in your mobile phone and in broadband wireless networks.

In a more user oriented environment, we would see a mesh network being used in a scenario where all the nodes are connected with each other as a fully connected network.       

✓This is an ideal application for highly sensitive lands which need to be extremely reliable and capable of operating even when there are equipment failures.             

                                                                                     

                                                 HYBRID TOPOLOGY

✓As the name connotes, a hybrid topology is simply a network that uses a mix of any two or more different topologies in such a way that the final network does not exhibit one of the characteristics of the standard topologies. (e.g., bus, star, ring, etc.)

Good examples of a hybrid network are a star ring and star bus network.

Hybrid networks are mostly found in a high performance or supercomputing systems due to the speed and number of processors that can handle computing tasks. Ordinary network and bus topologies would act as bottlenecks, reducing overall efficiency.

 

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF NETWORKING?

TYPES OF COMPUTER NETWORKS

• PAN (Personal Area Networks)

- Is a computer network used to interconnect devices centered on an individual workplace.

- PAN can be used for connecting personal devices, which typically involve a mobile computer, a cellphone, and/or a handheld computing devices such as PDA.

- The network is used to transfer files including email, calendar appointments, digital photos, and music. 

- Personal Area Networks can be created using USB cables, Bluetooth, Infrared, or other wireless technologies.

- It generally covers a network range of less than 10 meters and is viewed as a special type of Local Area Network. (Distance range:10 meters ; Interconnection: home network)

 

• LAN (Local Area Network) 

- is a type of network where two to as much as hundreds of computers are connected with each other using a network sharing device known as a hub or switch to enable sharing or files, printers, and other resources.

✓Application of LAN's

- The LAN's primary functions are linking mobile and desktop computers together and providing shared access to printers, file servers, internet connections, and many other services. The birth of LAN's was brought about by a simple goal. How do you share expensive resources and equipment within a group of computer users? What if your employees needed to print their work on laser printers? 

- Imagine the cost of having a purchase separate printers to connect two individual PCs. Not everyone really needs to print at the same time, yet generating hard copies is still a vital part of their works; thus, they need a printer. This doesn't mean though that the company should invest in acquiring laser printers for each individual as these printers will be idle most of the time. The same scenario applies to internet access. It would be foolish to provide each and every computer with its own dedicated internet service provider.

Why not share one subscription among several users? Even more importantly, workplaces now employ specialized computer applications that read and write to a common relational database management system. This means that a database server is set up and shared among several users to consolidate all information into one common data pool. This would be impossible if the computers are not connected through a LAN. The most common type of land hardware is known as Ethernet. in its simplest form it consists a single cable with hosts attached to it through connectors, taps, or transceivers. Simple Ethernets are relatively inexpensive to install, which together with a net transfer rate of 10, 100 or even 1,000 Megabits per second, account for much of its popularity. (Distance range: up to 100 meters ; Interconnection: Building to Building).

  •MAN ( Metropolitan Area Network)

- MAN is a larger network than a LAN. 

- It involves connecting several networks together that reside within a city, town, or metropolis.

- On a MAN, users may be several miles apart, but resources appear on the network just as if they were located within the same building.

(Distance Range: 5 to 50 kms ; Interconnection: City to City).

•WAN (Wide Area Network)

- Is a simply a network consisting of interconnected LANs. It is usually dispersed over a very wide area, and it is not uncommon to see WANs reaching across continents to link office networks with one another in several international branch offices. Setting up a WAN involves the addition of a specialized network bridge called a router to your network, and the use of a transmission medium such as a dedicated leased line from a telecommunications service provider or telco. More modern solutions use a regular internet connection and install a Virtual Private network (VPN) device to securely interconnect two networks together. A Wide Area Network assures the organization of better security since the network can be centrally managed despite the wide geographic reach. Data, voice, and even video communications can be secured with notes threat from outside breaches. The company can provide its own secured email service, servers can securely communicate with one another, and file transfers are faster since they operate on a dedicated link. The internet is considered the widest of all WANs and is the biggest computer network. (Distance Range: 50 to 100,000 kms).