topologies

Bus Topology

A network topology where all devices are connected to a single central cable (the 'bus'), allowing data to travel in both directions.

Advantages of Bus Topology

Easy to set up and inexpensive.

Disadvantages of Bus Topology

Single point of failure (the bus); difficult to troubleshoot and scale.

Star Topology

A network topology where all devices are connected to a central hub or switch, and communication goes through the hub.

Use Cases for Star Topology

Common in office or home networks; often used in Wi-Fi networks.

Advantages of Star Topology

Easy to add/remove devices and allows for centralized management.

Disadvantages of Star Topology

The central hub acts as a single point of failure.

Ring Topology

A network topology where devices are connected in a circular fashion, with data traveling in one or both directions.

Use Cases for Ring Topology

Used in high-speed networks like FDDI and older token ring networks.

Advantages of Ring Topology

Provides equal access for all devices and handles high traffic better than bus topology.

Disadvantages of Ring Topology

A break in the ring can disrupt the entire network; troubleshooting is more complex.

Mesh Topology

A network topology where each device is connected to every other device, which can be fully or partially connected.

Use Cases for Mesh Topology

Used in WANs, such as the internet, and in wireless mesh networks for IoT systems.

Advantages of Mesh Topology

High redundancy and reliability with direct communication paths that improve speed.

Disadvantages of Mesh Topology

Expensive and complex to set up and maintain.

Hierarchical Topology

A topology with a hierarchical structure where devices are connected in a parent-child relationship.

Use Cases for Hierarchical Topology

Used in corporate LANs and hybrid networks.

Advantages of Hierarchical Topology

Scalable and easy to manage; faults in branches do not affect the entire network.

Disadvantages of Hierarchical Topology

Requires careful planning and a fault at the root node affects the whole network.

Point-to-Point Topology

A direct connection between two devices.

Use Cases for Point-to-Point Topology

Used for dial-up connections and wireless bridges.

Advantages of Point-to-Point Topology

Simple, secure, and allows high-speed direct communication.

Disadvantages of Point-to-Point Topology

Not scalable.

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Topology

A topology where all devices are equal and share resources directly without a central server.

Use Cases for P2P Topology

Home networks for file sharing and decentralized networks like BitTorrent.

Advantages of P2P Topology

No need for a central server, making it cost-effective and simple for small networks.

Disadvantages of P2P Topology

Difficult to manage in larger networks and less secure compared to centralized topologies.