A Detailed Guide to Network Topology and What it is

Network topology refers to a system of computer networks that is based on the logical and also physical layout of components of the network, including devices and nodes. Network topology is important because it influences the flow of data within the network and, therefore, determines how the computers and other devices in the network communicate with one another. There are different types of network topologies, and they describe the different ways that computer networks function. Understanding network topology is, therefore, important for understanding the different elements and functions of computer networks and their components.

The 5 Types of Network Topologies

1. Bus Topology
2. Star Topology
3. Ring Topology
4. Mesh Topology
5. Hybrid topology

Bus Topology

This is a network topology that is considered the most basic. It is characterized by a linear order of connectivity where all devices in the network are connected to one cable.

The bus topology has several advantages over other network topologies:

1. The network is simple to set up and also manage. It requires a single cable, and this makes it inexpensive to install.
2. The network promotes an efficient allocation of resources. This is made possible by having all devices in the network use up the same bandwidth.
3. The network is also easy to scale up because it only involves the incorporation of more devices by connecting them to the existing cable.
4. The simple nature of the network also means that faults within the network are easy to detect.

The network also has disadvantages;

1. The network raises major security concerns associated with the significant ease of intercepting and stealing data transmitted. This is because all devices are connected to a single cable.
2. The network also faces performance issues caused by bandwidth sharing among all devices. This means that the sharing leads to a slowing down of the network performance.
3. The network also suffers from reduced performance caused by exceeding the length of the cable, which affects the quality of the signal.
4. Changes to the network mean that the entire system has to be put offline. This means that the network is very difficult to reconfigure.

Ring Topology

This is a network topology characterized by a closed loop. This is because the devices connected in this network are in a circular manner. Like the bus topology, topology data is transmitted from one device to its destination but passes through other devices.

The ring topology is common in organizations because of the following advantages:

1. The network is simple to set up and manage. This is because devices are easily connected with one another.
2. The network is also characterized by a flow of data in one direction, making it efficient.
3. The network is also more reliable than the bus typology because, in this one, data can flow in the opposite direction, making it easy to manage, especially in the event of a disruption.
4. In this network, all devices have an equal opportunity to access the network, which means devices cannot monopolize it.

The topology also has disadvantages:

1. The network faces the risk of complete network shutdown when the cable connecting the devices fails.
2. Reconfiguring the network in case downtime requires putting the entire network offline.
3. Like the bus topology, the network faces major security issues because all devices are connected together in a manner that all devices can see all transmitted data in the network.
4. The network faces scalability issues based on limited cable bandwidth.

Star Topology

As the name suggests, the star topology is a network topology based on a centralized system. all computer devices in the system are connected to a switch or a hub. Information is, therefore, disseminated to the devices through the hub. The system, therefore, resembles a star and represents one of the most common network topologies. The reason is that the central hub is able to transmit information to multiple nodes and devices.

There are several advantages of star topology:

1. The system’s scalability is easy because it involves the addition of a node to the hub.
2. The system has improved performance because it uses a dedicated central hub. It means that all devices receive higher levels of bandwidth because it is not shared.
3. The system is also more reliable because the failure of one device does not affect the rest.
4. The system is also easy to manage because everything is connected to the central hub.

The system also has disadvantages, and they include the following:

1. The system is limited to the number of ports in the central hub, which means that scalability can be a problem.
2. The system also faces the risk of single-point failure, which can put the entire network at risk.
3. The system uses more resources, making it costlier.
4. It also raises security concerns, especially when the central hub is compromised.

Mesh Topology

The Mesh topology is a unique topology. A fully connected mesh network is characterized by all devices being connected with one another in the network. There is a direct point-to-point link between all devices.

The mesh topology has several advantages:

1. The ability to connect all devices together means that the system is easily scalable. New devices can be added to the network without affecting the system’s performance.
2. The system is also efficient because the transfer of data can be done in all directions.
3. The system is reliable because there is a limited risk of connection failure when a point collapses.
4. The system is also more secure because intercepting the network and stealing data is difficult.

The system also has disadvantages:

1. The system is complex and requires a lot of resources to implement, making it costly.
2. The complex nature of the system makes it difficult to manage.

Hybrid Topology

A hybrid topology is a network system characterized by the combination of two or more systems. It is used to ensure that the resulting system has some of the benefits and limitations of each individual network. A good example is connecting several star topologies with a central network.

Organizations consider hybrid topology because of increased flexibility. It results in a customized topology that promotes reliability, scalability, efficiency and security.

Note

Apart from the five types of network topology, there is another common type known as tree topology.

Tree topology

This is a network system that is based on a hierarchical system. It is characterized by a root node which is then connected in a top-down effect to other sub-root nodes. The network resembles a tree because the branches of sub-root nodes are connected hierarchically. It has the capacity of a hybrid topology because it can connect different topologies.