Everything You Need to Know About Computer Network Topology

Topology in Network Design

If this terms is hard for you to understand, just think about is as a structure or virtual shape of a network. But you won't the shape to be actually corresponding to the physical layout of those devices which are connected to the network. For instance, let's say that your home computers are arranged in a circle in your favorite room. But even so you won't find any ring topology present there.

There are many networking topologies and they are as following: 

1. Ring
2. Star
3. Bus
4. Mesh
5. tree

If you want to build a more complex network you will be able to do so by combining the aforementioned topologies.

Bus Topology 

This topology type basically uses a backbone when it comes to connecting devices. Thus the backbone consisting of a cable will work as a shared communication medium which all the other devices will be connecting to. Such topologies aren't hard to install and when it comes to the cabling, there aren't many that you will need. They have best performance when working with limited numbers of devices.

Ring Topology 

In such a topology there will be two neighbors for every device when it comes to communication. Thus every data piece will travel clockwise or counterclockwise in the same direction. If there's any cable failure the whole network comes to a stall, failing.

In a ring network, every device has exactly two neighbors for communication purposes. All messages travel through a ring in the same direction (either "clockwise" or "counterclockwise"). A failure in any cable or device breaks the loop and can take down the entire network.

Star Topology 

This topology can be found mostly in homes. It features central connection point (router, hub switch). Devices are usually connecting to it through UTP Ethernet.

Tree Topology 

Tree topologies consist of many start topologies which are integrated on to a bus. This will provide a good expandability of the network and it is way better than a star or a bus.

Mesh Topology 

Mesh topologies use the routes concept. The messages which are sent through this type of topology are given several paths to travel on in getting to their destination. You can find mesh routing in the Internet.