CHAPTER 6-NETWORK TOPOLOGY-Real-World Networks

Chapter 6
Real-World Networks
NETWORK TOPOLOGY
A network topology is the arrangement of computers,
cables, and other components on a network.
The type of topology you use affects the type and

capabilities of the network’s hardware, its management,
and possibilities for future expansion.
Each topology is suited to specific tasks and has its own

advantages and disadvantages
Topology is both physical and logical.

A physical network describes how the network has been
cabled.
Logical network describes how the network operates and

describes as well the way the network data flows through
the physical components.
Four Basic Topology
Bus Topology
Computers are connected to a common, shared
cable.
Star Topology
Computers are connected to cable segments that
branch out from a central location, or hub.
Ring Topology
Computers are connected to a cable that forms a
loop around a central location.
Mesh Topology
Computers on the network are connected to every
other computer by cable.
The choice of topology is dependent upon the type and
number of equipments being used; planned applications;
rate of data transfer; required response times and cost.
Consists of numbers of computers in a row connected by a
single cable segment called trunk, also known as backbone
or segment.
Bus Topology
terminator trunk
Advantages Disadvantages
Easy to
Limits on cable length and Workstation numbers
implement
Low Cost Difficult to isolate network faults
Easy to extend A segment cable fault affects all workstations
As the number of workstations increase, the speed

of the network slows down
Ring Topology logically connects all computers with a cable that loops
around, thus, terminators are not necessary.
Ring Topology
Signals travel in one direction on a ring while they are passed from
one computer to the next.
Ring topology provides a reliable signal that can travel large

network because the signal is regenerated by each workstation when
passed on to its neighbor.
Thus, it provides high performance for a large number of users.
Ring topology frequently use token passing.

Logical Implementation of Ring Topology
Multiple Access Unit
Physical Implementation of Ring Topology

Provides an orderly network Costly Wiring
Equal access for all users Difficult Connections
Each workstation has full

access Expensive Adaptor Cards
speed to the ring
As workstation numbers
Malfunctioning workstations and
increase
cables create problems for the
performance diminishes
entire network
slightly
When a computer or other networking component
transmits a signal to the network, the signal travels to the
hub, which forwards the signal simultaneously to all other
components connected to the hub.
Star Topology
Star topology is used to connect computers in a workgroup or

departmental local area network (LAN) using a hub.
It can also be used to connect workgroup or departmental hubs using a

master hub or switch.
This is a special star topology called either cascading hubs or star-

wired topology.
Star Topology
Hub can be a single point of

Easy to add new workstations
failure
Hubs are slightly more expensive

Centralized control
than thin-Ethernet
Centralized network/hub Requires more cable than most

monitoring other topologies
Mesh Topology is a network topology in which additional
networking components are used to provide redundant data
paths.
This topology provides the highest fault tolerance that is if a wire, hub,
Mesh Topology
switch, or other component fails, data can travel along an alternate path.
But this requires a large amount of cable and can quickly become
confusing.
Mesh networks can use the following topologies:
Full mesh topology that provides a direct link between each pair of
nodes on the backbone network ;and
Partial mesh topology that only includes some redundant data paths
to provide some level of fault tolerance.
Mesh Topology
Enhanced fault tolerance Difficult to install and

provided by redundant links maintain
Costly to provide
Easy to troubleshoot
redundant links

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Chapter 6

The type of topology you use affects the type and

Each topology is suited to specific tasks and has its own

Topology is both physical and logical.

Logical network describes how the network operates and

Low Cost Difficult to isolate network faults

Easy to extend A segment cable fault affects all workstations

As the number of workstations increase, the speed

Ring topology provides a reliable signal that can travel large

Ring topology frequently use token passing.

Physical Implementation of Ring Topology

Provides an orderly network Costly Wiring

Equal access for all users Difficult Connections

Each workstation has full

Star topology is used to connect computers in a workgroup or

It can also be used to connect workgroup or departmental hubs using a

This is a special star topology called either cascading hubs or star-

Hub can be a single point of

Hubs are slightly more expensive

Centralized network/hub Requires more cable than most

Mesh networks can use the following topologies:

Enhanced fault tolerance Difficult to install and

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