Topology In Networking

Contents
Introduction to Network Topology. Different types of Network Topology. Advantages and Disadvantages of different Network Topologies. Different device used in establishing the network. Different standards used for network topologies.

What is a Network?
A group of two or more computer systems linked together is a network. There are many types of computer networks, including: Local area networks (LANs):-The computers are geographically close together and connected with cables. Wide area networks (WANs):-The computers are farther apart and are connected by telephone lines, radio waves, or some other media. Metropolitan Area Network (MANs):-Is a large computer network that usually spans a city or a large campus. A MAN usually interconnects a number of LAN using a high-capacity backbone technology, such as fibre-optical links, and provides up-link services to WAN and the Internet.

 In addition to these types, the following characteristics are also used to categorize different types of networks : Topology : The geometric arrangement of a computer system. Protocol : The protocol defines a common set of rules and signals that computers on the network use to communicate. One of the most popular protocols for LANs is called Ethernet. Another popular LAN protocol for PCs is the IBM token ring network . Architecture : Networks can be broadly classified as either a peer-to-peer or client/server architecture.

LOCAL AREA NETWORK (LAN)

LANs A single geographical location, such as office building, school, etc Typically High speed and cheaper. It is establishes by using different devices and cables.

WIDE AREA NETWORK (WAN)

A Wide Area Network (WAN) is a network system that covers a large geographical area such as different cities of country or different countries of the world. The Internet is the worlds largest network. WAN, In WAN telephone lines, satellites, microwave, fiber optic etc. are used as transmission media.

Network Topology
Network Topology :- study of Physical (real) and Logical (virtual) interconnections between nodes. Physical :- Actual layout of the computer cables and other network devices Logical :- the way in which the network appears to the devices that use it.

Identifying any Network Topology

By graphical mapping of the connections which includes: Physical Connections. Distance between nodes. Transmission rates. Limited number of stations.

Categories of Network Topology

Physical Topology. Logical Topology. Hybrid Topology.

Physical Topology
The mapping of the nodes of a network and the physical connections between them i.e., the layout of wiring, cables, locations of nodes, interconnections between the nodes or cabling or wiring system. Multiple systems connected to shared medium. Low delay. Low error rate. Broadcast/Multicast capability. Limited geography 1-2 km. Peer relationship between stations.

Classification of Physical Topology

It is classified into basically in the five different types: Bus Topology. Tree Topology. Mesh Topology. Ring Topology. Star Topology.

Bus Topology

In LAN where bus topology is used, each machine is connected to a single cable. Uses a trunk or backbone to which all of the computers on the network connect. Systems connect to this backbone using T connectors or taps.

Tree Topology

The type of network topology in which a central 'root' node is connected to one or more other nodes that are lower level in the hierarchy with a point-to-point link between each of the second level nodes and top level central 'root' node, while each second level nodes that are connected to the top level central 'root' node will also have one or more other nodes. The signals that are being transmitted by the root node are received by all the nodes at the same time. This increases the efficiency of the over all functioning of the network.

Mesh Topology
A topology in which there are at least two nodes with two or more paths between them. Each computer connects to every other. A variation hybrid mesh create point to point connection between specific network devices. If n is total no of nodes in network then No. of links to connect these nodes in mesh = N (N-1)/2 Each node should have (N-1) I/O ports as it require connection to every another node.

Ring Topology

A topology in which that data travels in circular fashion from one computer to another on the network. Each node connects to exactly two other nodes, forming a single continuous pathway for signals through each node. Each machine or computer has a unique address that is used for identification purposes

Star Topology
All computers/devices connect to a central device called hub or switch. Each device requires a single cable. Point-to-Point connection between the device and hub. Most widely implemented. Hub is the single point of failure. The hub acts as a signal booster or repeater. The star topology is considered the easiest topology to design and implement

Bus Topology
Advantages Cheap and easy to implement. Disadvantages Network disruption when computers are added removed. A break in the cable will prevent all systems from accessing the network. Difficult to troubleshoot. This limits the number of stations that can be connected. or

Require less cable.

Does not use any specialized network equipment. It is easy to handle and implement.

Tree Topology
Point-to-point wiring for individual segments. All the computers have access to the larger and their immediate networks . In depends length of the network depends on the type of cable that is being used. This network is entirely dependent on the trunk which is the main backbone of the network. If that has to fail then the entire network would fail. Since the Tree Topology network is big it is difficult to configure and can get complicated after a certain point.

Best topology for branched out networks.

Mesh Topology
Security as data travels along a dedicated line. Points to point links make fault identification easy. Provides redundant paths between devices. There is mesh of wiring which can be difficult to manage. Installation is complex as each node is connected to every node. Requires more cable than the other LAN topologies.

Ring Topology
Cable faults are easily located, making troubleshooting easier. Ring networks are moderately easy to install. A central server is not required for the management of this topology. Expansion to the network can cause network disruption. A single break in the cable can disrupt the entire network. The movement or changes made to network nodes affects the performance of the entire network.

Star Topology
Easily expanded without disruption to the network. Cable failure affects only a single user. Easy to troubleshoot and isolate problems. Requires more cable. A central connecting device allows for a single point of failure. More difficult to troubleshoot and isolate to implement.

Logical Topology
The logical topology, in contrast to the "physical", is the way that the signals act on the network media, or the way that the data passes through the network from one device to the next without regard to the physical interconnection of the devices. Logical topologies are often closely associated with Media Access Control (MAC) methods and protocols. Logical topologies are able to be dynamically reconfigured by special types of equipment such as routers and switches.

Hybrid Topology
Hybrid network is the combination of different topologies such as Star, Ring, Mesh, Bus etc. For Eg :- if a department uses a Bus network, second department uses the ring network, third department uses the Mesh network and fourth department uses the star network. All of the above networks of four different types can be connected together through a central hub

Introduction To Devices

IEEE and Networking Standards

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) developed a series of networking standards Networking technologies developed by manufacturers are Compatible Cabling, networking devices and protocols are all interchangeable under the banner of a specific IEEE.

802.3 IEEE Standard

Defines characteristics for Ethernet networks:
802.3u for Fast Ethernet. 802.3z for Gigabit Ethernet, referred to as 802.3x. 802.3ac 10gbits/s. Speed: Original 10Mbps, Fast Ethernet 100Mbps, Gigabit Ethernet 1000Mbps . Topology: bus or star. Media: Coaxial and twisted pair cabling, also fibre optic cable. Access method: CSMA/CD. ( Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection) for Ethernet Networks.

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