Network Tropology

Network Tropology

Network tropology is the arrangement of the various elements (links, nodes, etc.) of a computer network. Essentially, it is the topological structure of a network and may be depicted physically or logically.

An example is a local area network (LAN). Any given node in the LAN has one or more physical links to other devices in the network.

Classification:

The study of network topology recognizes eight basic topologies, bus, star, ring, mesh, tree, hybrid. Description is given below:

Bus network tropology:

In local area networks where bus topology is used, each node is connected to a single cable, by the help of interface connectors. This central cable is the backbone of the network and is known as the bus (thus the name.) A signal from the source travels in both directions to all machines connected on the bus cable until it finds the intended recipient.

Star network tropology:

In local area networks with a star topology, each network host is connected to a central hub with a point-to-point connection.

Ring network tropology:

A ring topology is a bus topology in a closed loop. Data travels around the ring in one direction. When one node sends data to another, the data passes through each intermediate node on the ring until it reaches its destination.

Mesh networking:

The value of fully meshed networks is proportional to the exponent of the number of subscribers, assuming that communicating groups of any two endpoints, up to and including all the endpoints.

Hybrid network tropology:

Hybrid networks combine two or more topologies in such a way that the resulting network does not exhibit one of the standard topologies

Tree tropology:

A tree topology combines characteristics of linear bus and star topologies. It consists of groups of star-configured workstations connected to a linear bus backbone cable (See fig. 3). Tree topologies allow for the expansion of an existing network, and enable schools to configure a network to meet their needs.