Assignment 1

Comparison between Network Topologies

Name: Mahmoud Yehia Mahmoud Ali Kamel

Student Number: 20043250

1 Abstract
Network topology is the arrangement of the various nodes of a computer network, essentially, it is the topological structure of a
network and may be depicted physically or logically, graphically mapping the links between nodes results in a geometric shape
that can be used to describe the physical topology of the network. Here is a comparison between various Topologies.

2 Comparison
Topology

Architecture/
organization

Star

A network topology in
which peripheral nodes
are connected to a central
node(such as a hub,
switch, or router) which
rebroadcasts all
transmissions received
from any peripheral node
to all peripheral nodes on
the network, including the
originating node. All
peripheral nodes may
thus communicate with all
others by transmitting to,
and receiving from, the
central node only
is a network topology in
which there is a single
line (the bus) to which all
nodes are connected, and
the nodes connect only to
this bus. This is a bus line
going through a city. The
cable has a small cap
installed at the end, called
a terminator. The
terminator prevents
signals from bouncing
back and causing network
errors. Like a series of
pipes that water travels
through
A network topology in
which every node has
exactly two branches
connected to it. A starwired ring topology may
appear (externally) to be
the same as a star
topology. Internally, the
MAU (multistation access
unit) of a star-wired ring
contains wiring that
allows information to pass
from one device to
another in a circle or ring.
point-to point links in a
closed loop.

Bus

Ring

Mesh

Token-ring

Tree

Routing
Methodology

Complex
ity

Expansio
n

Reliability

Cost

Cabling
Concerns

Security

Delay/Respons
e time

All information
passes through
the central
network
connection.

Very
simple(Us
ed for
LANs)

Add a new
computer
by plugging
in a new
cable from
the
computer to
the
connection
device.

When one
computer goes
down, the rest
of the network
is unaffected. If
the connection
device goes
down, then the
network is
down.

More expensive of
the simple
topologies, it
requires costly
connection
device. Usually
cheaper than a
hybrid network.

Uses twisted pair

cable.
Requires large
amounts of cable.
No more than 100
meters from the
computer to the
connection
device.

denial of service
attack

Excellent in terms
of distance

One computer at
a time sends
information.
Information goes
along the cable
and the computer
accesses the
information off the
cable.

The
Simplest
one(Used
for
LANs)

To add a
computer,
you must
shut down
the network
and
disconnect
the cable
from the
existing
computers.

If one
computer
malfunctions
, the entire
network
goes down.

A cheaper
network since
there is
usually one
continuous
copper cable.

Single continuous
cable connects
the devices.
Terminator is
required at each
end of the cable.
Uses coaxial or
twisted pair
cabling.

Not secure cause

broadcast

Delay cause
broadcast

Information goes
in one direction
around the ring
and passes along
the ring until it
reaches the
correct computer.

(Used for
LANs)

Cable
between
the
computers
must be
broken to
add a new
computer,
so the
network is
down until
the new
device is
back online.

If there's a
break in the
cable or an
error in the
network,
information
continues to
transfer through
the rest of the
ring until
reaching the
point of the
break. This
makes
troubleshooting
easy.

One of the more

expensive
topologies due to
high cable costs.

Requires more
cabling than other
topologies. Uses
twisted pair.

The least security

as the information
Intended for one
machine must
pass all the others

good

A network topology in
which there are at least
two nodes with two or
more paths between
them.

Often used across

long distances.
Information
transfer can
happen in
different ways,
depending on the
other topologies.

Used for
WANs

Troubleshootin
g is most
difficult in this
topology
because of the
variety of
technologies.

Expensive, large,
and usually
complicated.

Cabling depends
on the types of
networks.
Can use twisted
pair and coaxial
cable. Also
incorporates fiber
optic cabling over
long distances.

A mesh needs
secure links,
routing, and
forwarding

Trade off with cost

Token-passing networks
move a small frame,
called a token, around
The network. Possession
of the Token grants the
right to transmit. If a node
receiving the token has
no information to send, it
passes the token to the
next end station And the
process repeats itself.
Each station can hold the
token For a maximum
period of time.
The nodes are arranged
as a tree. The tree
topology is a
generalization of the bus
topology. The
transmission medium is a
branching cable with no
closed loops. The tree
layout begins at a point
known as the head end
(Root), where one or
more cables start, and
each of these may have
branches. The branches
in turn may have
additional branches to
allow quite complex
layouts.

A speciallyformatted frame,
called a token,
travels around the
ring, stopping at
each host.. The
destination host
takes the data out
of the frame. No
data collisions.

(Used
for
LANs)

Connection
devices
make
combining
different
networks
and
different
topologies
easy.
The more
workstation
s causes
slower the
response
time
Not very
flexible or
scalable

A single
malfunctioning
workstation can
disable the
network

Fairly low

Twisted Pair

Low security as it
physically star but
logically ring

Not bad (No data

collisions.)

a transmission
from any station
Propagates
throughout the
medium and can
be received by all
other stations. . A
host that is a
branch off from
the main tree is
called a leaf.

Used for
WANs

The
simplest to
install and
extend
extra
Stations in
a daisy
chain
manner,

N.W partitioned
easily, but
partitions still
work.

Costly because it
is heavily cabled

Overall length of
each segment is
limited by the type
of cabling used.
(Coax - Twisted
Pair Fiber)

Low security as it
physically star but
logically bus

Possible traffic
jams.

Fully
connected

A fully connected
topology is a network
topology in which there is
a direct link between all
pairs of nodes. In a fully
connected network with n
nodes, there are n (n-1)/2
direct links. Synonym fully
connected mesh network.

Many paths with

fault
tolerance

Used for
WANs

difficult to
Expand

The most
reliable one,
doesn't
have single
point of
failure/attack

Expensive due to
high cable costs.

All kind of cables

that can be used
with LAN and
WAN

Secured

Too slow, add

more links.

3 Conclusion
Choice of network topology must be done very carefully and professionally based on many design parameters such as security,
complexity, reliability, cost and many other design parameters that define the best topology that can meet effectively the
requirements of a network infrastructure.

4 References
1- types of network topology http://www.studytonight.com/computer-networks/network-topology-types
2- network topologies https://www.edrawsoft.com/Network-Topologies.php
3- network topology comparison
https://www.google.com.eg/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=8&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwii3Lq
D-6fLAhXFWhoKHWxFB-EQFgg1MAc&url=http%3A%2F%2Fburgate-ict.pbworks.com%2Ff%2FTopic%2B4%2B%2BNetwork%2BTopology%2BComparison.DOC&usg=AFQjCNEyB441lLduH1FE7qR6ICVQFHuZPA&sig2=T0lV
8mpu7qc82du1vcgvDA
4- Advantages and disadvantages of different network topologies http://www.buzzle.com/articles/advantages-anddisadvantages-of-different-network-topologies.html