What is a Network Topology?
Topology refers to the layout and infrastructure of the network.
This will affect the cost, performance and ease of installation/maintenance of a network.
Bus Topology
1. All devices are connected to a single cable called a ‘backbone’
2. This network is cheap to setup as it uses less cables.
3. If one device fails, the rest aren’t affected.
4. If the backbone cable breaks, the whole network goes down.
5. Lots of data collisions which slow the network down
Ring Topology
1. All devices are connected on a ring.
2. Data flows in only one direction around the ring.
3. Fast because very few data collisions.
4. If one device fails, the whole network fails
5. Not secure as data must pass through each device until it reaches the correct one
Star Topology
1. Fast because very few data collisions.
2. If one device fails, the whole network doesn’t fail.
3. If the switch fails, the whole network fails.
Mesh Topology
1. Full mesh topology: each device is directly connected to every other device on the network.
2. Partial mesh topology: each device is not directly connected to every other device on the network (but they are connected together indirectly.