Assignment 1~Question 1

Draw and Explain Network

Topologies.
Ans:

MESH TOPOLOGY
The mesh topology is a type of
passive network.
Features:
No of devices = n
No of links =
No of ports =

n(n1)
2
n1

Advantages:
A dedicated link guarantees that
each communication can carry its
own data load, thus eliminating
traffic problems.
Mesh Topology is robust, i.e. if link
becomes unusable, it does not
incapacitate the entire system.
Greater privacy and security as
message travels along a dedicated
line.
Drawbacks:
Installation and reconfiguration is
difficult. Hardware required is more
and hence it is more expensive.

STAR TOPOLOGY
The star topology is a type of Active
network.
Features:
In a star topology, each device has a
dedicated point-to-point link only to
a central controller, usually called a
hub. The devices are not directly
linked to one another. A star
topology does not allow direct traffic
between devices. The controller acts
as an exchange: If one device wants
to send data to another, it sends the
data to the controller, which then
relays the data to the other
connected device.

Advantages:
Less Expensive than mesh
topology.
Easy
to
install
and
reconfigure.
Robustness, if any one link
fails, the remains active.
Hubs can be used to monitor
link problems and bypass
defective links.
Drawbacks:
Dependency of whole topology
on one single point, the hub. If
the hub goes down, the system
goes down.
Applications:
LAN and High Speed LANs.
Prepared by Shashwat Sanghavi.

13117C1018 BE

Assignment 1~Question 1

EXTENDED STAR/TREE
TOPOLOGY
The tree topology is a type of Active
Network.
Features:
Tree Topology integrates the
characteristics of Star and Bus
Topology
In Tree Topology, the number of Star
networks are connected using Bus.
This main cable seems like a main
stem of a tree, and other star
networks as the branches. It is also
called Expanded Star Topology.
Ethernet protocol is commonly used
in this type of topology.

Advantages:
1. It is an extension of Star and bus
Topologies, so in networks where
these
topologies
can't
be
implemented
individually
for
reasons related to scalability, tree
topology is the best alternative.
2. Expansion of Network is possible
and
easy.
3. The whole network is divided into
segments (star networks) which can
be easily managed and maintained.
4. Error detection and correction is
easy.
5. If one segment is damaged, other
segments are not affected.
Disadvantages:

1. Because of its basic structure, tree

topology, relies heavily on the main
bus cable, if it breaks whole network
is crippled.
2. As more and more nodes and
segments are added, the
maintenance becomes difficult.
3. Scalability of the network
depends on the type of cable used.

BUS TOPOLOGY
The bus topology is a type of
Passive Network.
Features:
A bus topology, on the other hand, is
multipoint. One long cable acts as a
backbone to link all the devices in a
network
Nodes are connected to the bus cable
by drop lines and taps. A drop line is
a connection running between the
device and the main cable. A tap is a
connector that either splices into the
main cable or punctures the
sheathing of a cable to create a
contact with the metallic core. As a
signal travels along the backbone,
some of its energy is transformed
into heat. Therefore, it becomes
weaker and weaker as it travels
farther and farther. For this reason
there is a limit on the number of taps
a bus can support and on the
distance between those taps.

Prepared by Shashwat Sanghavi.

13117C1018 BE

Assignment 1~Question 1

Advantages:
1) It is easy to set-up and extend
bus network.
2) Cable length required for this
topology is the least compared to
other networks.
3) Bus topology costs very less.
4) Linear Bus network is mostly
used in small networks. Good for
LAN.

Drawbacks
1) There is a limit on central cable
length and number of nodes that can
be connected.
2) Dependency on central cable in
this topology has its disadvantages.If
the main cable (i.e. bus ) encounters
some problem, whole network
breaks down.
3) Proper termination is required to
dump signals. Use of terminators is
must.
4) It is difficult to detect and
troubleshoot fault at individual
station.
5) Maintenance costs can get higher
with time.
6) Efficiency of Bus network
reduces, as the number of devices
connected to it increases.
7) It is not suitable for networks
with heavy traffic.
8) Security is very low because all
the computers receive the sent signal
from the source.

RING TOPOLOGY
Features:
In Ring Topology, all the nodes are
connected to each-other in such a
way that they make a closed loop.
Each workstation is connected to
two other components on either side,
and it communicates with these two
adjacent neighbours. Data travels
around the network, in one direction.
Prepared by Shashwat Sanghavi.
13117C1018 BE

Assignment 1~Question 1

Sending and receiving of data takes

place by the help of TOKEN.

Advantages of Ring Topology

1) This type of network topology is
very organized. Each node gets to
send the data when it receives an
empty token. This reduces chances
of collision. Also in ring topology all
the traffic flows in only one
direction at very high speed.
2) Even when the load on the
network increases, its performance

is better than that of Bus topology.

3) There is no need for network
server to control the connectivity
between workstations.
4) Additional components do not
affect the performance of network.
5) Each computer has equal access
to resources.
Disadvantages of Ring Topology
1) Each packet of data must pass
through all the computers between
source and destination. This makes it
slower than Star topology.
2) If one workstation or port goes
down, the entire network gets
affected.
3) Network is highly dependent on
the wire which connects different
components.
4) MAUs and network cards are
expensive as compared to Ethernet
cards and hubs.

Prepared by Shashwat Sanghavi.

13117C1018 BE