Network topology

q  topology is a  schematic  representation of the arrangement of a network, including Its nodes and connecting lines.

OR

The physical way the computers or nodes connect with each other is called topology.

Bus  topology

´  In the bus network topology, every workstation is connected to a main cable called the bus.

´  For this purpose, coordination is required to decide which computer has to use the line at what time.

´  In bus topology each computer is directly attached to one another through the main cable or bus.

´  The network needs fewer wires than a star, however entire network is disabled when a cable cut occurs.

Ring Topology:

´  In the ring network topology, the workstations are connected in a closed loop configuration.

´    Adjacent pairs of workstations are directly connected.

´  Other pairs of workstations are indirectly connected, the data passing through one or more intermediate nodes

´  The ring topology are logically ring but physically it may not be resemble like ring.

´  It is easy to coordinate access to other computers however entire network is disabled if a cable cut occurs.

Mesh Topology:

´  The mesh network topology employs either of two schemes, called full mesh and partial mesh.

´   In the full mesh topology, each workstation is connected directly to each of the others. 

´   In the partial mesh topology, some workstations are connected to all the others, and some are connected only to those other nodes with which they exchange the most data.

Tree Topology

´  The tree network topology uses two or more star networks connected together.

´  The central computers of the star networks are connected to a main bus.

´  Thus, a tree network is a bus network of star networks.

Star  topology:

´  In the star network topology, there is a central hub or server to which all the workstations are directly connected.

´  Every workstation is indirectly connected to every other through the central hub

´  the network are not like a star shape it may be irregular but there connection just look like a star, that is the reason this topology is called star topology or star network.

´  In term of cost of wire it take more wire than bus topology but only one computer is affected when a cable cut occurs