Network Topology

Question 1

Topology

Answer 1

A physical and logical arrangement of nodes and connections in a network.

Question 2

Bus Topology

Answer 2

• All the nodes in the network are connected directly to a central cable (backbone). It is a linear link that runs up and down the network.
• Data is sent up and down the backbone until it reaches the correct node.

Advs.
- Easy to connect
- Less cabling compared to other topologies

Disadvs.
-Fails if central cable is broken
-Terminals must be connected at the ends of the central cable.

Question 3

Star Topology

Answer 3

• All nodes indirectly connect to each other through one or more switches. The switch acts as a central point through which all communications are passed.
• Large networks using a star topology are usually controlled by one or more servers. Even though no single computer controls the network, all communications still pass through the central switch.

Advs.
- each node is separately connected, therefore a failure of one node or its link does not affect any other nodes
- new nodes can be added to the network simply by connecting them to the switch

Disadvs.
- the whole network fails if the switch fails as no node can communicate
- a wired star topology requires plenty of cable - in a large network this can be expensive

Question 4

Ring Topology

Answer 4

Nodes are connected in a ring or a loop. Data is sent around the ring, being passed from one computer system to the next until it reaches its destination.

Advs.
-because data passes around the network in one direction, there are no network collisions
-adding additional nodes has very little impact on bandwidth

Disadvs.
-if any of the nodes fail, the ring is broken and data cannot be transmitted
-it is difficult to troubleshoot a ring network topology

Question 5

Hybrid Topology

Answer 5

A type of network topology that uses two or more differing network topologies.