Network Topology Design
Mesh Topology
Here every device has a point to point link to every other device.
Advantages:
- They use dedicated links so each link can only carry its own data load, avoiding traffic problems.
- It is robust; if any one link gets damaged, it cannot affect others.
- Provides privacy and security.
- Fault identification and fault isolation are easy.
Star Topology
Here each device has a dedicated point-to-point link to the central controller called “Hub” (Act as an Exchange).
There is no direct traffic between devices; transmission occurs only through the central “hub”. When device 1 wants to send data to device 2, it first sends the data to the hub, which then relays the data to the other connected device.
Bus Topology
A bus topology is multipoint. One long cable acts as a backbone linking all the devices connected to it by drop lines and taps. Drop line is the connection between the devices and the cable, while a tap is the splitter that cuts the main link. This allows only one device to transmit at a time.
Ring Topology
Here each device has a dedicated connection with two devices on either side. The signal is passed in one direction from device to device until it reaches the destination, and each device has a repeater. When one device receives signals intended for another device, its repeater then regenerates the data and passes them along. To add or delete a device requires changing only two connections.
Tree Topology
Alternatively referred to as a star bus topology, tree topology is one of the most common network setups that is similar to a bus topology and a star topology. A tree topology connects multiple star networks to other star networks.
Hybrid Topology
A network which contains all types of physical structures and is connected under a single backbone channel.
Considerations for Choosing Topology
- Money: Bus network may be the least expensive way to install a network.
- Length of cable needed: The linear bus network uses shorter lengths of cable.
- Future growth: With star topology, expanding is easily done by adding another.
- Cable type: The most commonly used cable in commercial organizations is twisted pair, which is often used with star topologies.