Network Topology is the representation of a network arrangement, consisting of several nodes i.e. sender and receiver nodes, and the lines connecting these nodes.
Types of Network Topology :
Let us look at the type of Network Topologies available.
- P2P Topology :
Point-to-point topology is the easiest of all the network topologies. In this method, the network consists of a direct link between two computers. This is faster and highly reliable than other types of connections since there is a direct connection. No need for a network operating system.
- Bus Topology :
Bus topology is a network type in which every computer and network device is connected to single cable. It transmits the data from one end to another in single direction, i.e., No bi-directional.
Cost of the cable is less as compared to other topology, but it is used to built small networks. If the network traffic is heavy, it increases collisions in the network. If the common cable fails, then the whole system will crash down.
- Ring Topology :
Every device has exactly two neighboring devices for communication purpose. It is called a ring topology as its formation is like a ring. Failure of one computer can disturb the whole network. Faster error checking and acknowledgment.
- Star Topology :
Star Topology is the kind of network topology in which all the nodes are connected via cables to a single node called hub, which is the central node. The hub can be active or passive in nature.
Each node contains a reserved connection to the central node, which the central node acting as a repeater during data transmission. Star topology boasts fast performance due to low network traffic. All the nodes are dependent on the hub.
- Tree Topology :
This topology is the variation of Star topology. This topology have hierarchical flow of data. It allows more devices to be attached to a single central hub thus it increases the distance that is travel by the signal to come to the devices. If the central hub gets fails the entire system fails. The cost is high because of cabling.
- Mesh Topology :
It is a point-to-point connection to other nodes or devices. All the network nodes are connected to each other. Mesh has n(n-1)/2 physical channels to link n devices.
There are two techniques to transmit data over the Mesh topology, they are : Routing, and Flooding.
- Hybrid Topology :
Hybrid Topology is basically a network topology comprising of two or more different types of topologies. It is a reliable and scalable topology, but simultaneously, it is a costly one.
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