are the physical or logical layout of a network, defining how devices are connected and how data flows between them. One commonly used network topology is the , where all devices are connected to a shared communication line called a bus. In this topology, data is transmitted through the bus and received by all devices on the network. While simple and cost-effective, the bus topology can suffer from congestion and single-point failures.
Another popular network topology is the , where all devices are connected to a central device, typically a switch or hub. Each device has a dedicated point-to-point connection with the central device, ensuring reliable communication and ease of troubleshooting. On the other hand, the connects devices in a circular manner, with each device acting as a repeater to transmit data in a sequential manner. This topology offers better resilience against single-point failures but can be slower due to the need for data to pass through each device.
In contrast, the provides the highest level of redundancy and fault tolerance. Here, each device is interconnected with every other device in a full mesh, creating multiple paths for data transmission. This enables efficient and reliable communication, even in the event of device failures. However, the complexity and cost associated with implementing a mesh topology make it less practical for small-scale networks.
, also known as hierarchical topology, combines characteristics of bus and star topologies. It organizes devices in a hierarchical fashion, with multiple levels of network devices interconnected. This allows for scalability and efficient data routing, suitable for large networks with different departments or branches. incorporates multiple network topologies, such as star-bus or star-ring, to meet specific requirements of complex networks.
is widely used in modern networks and involves multiple clients connecting to a central server. The server manages resources, provides services, and controls data access, ensuring efficient network management and security. On the other hand, eliminates the central server, with all devices functioning as both clients and servers. This decentralized approach enables easy sharing of resources and data among connected devices.
Keywords
hybrid topology | star topology | mesh topology | client-server topology | network topologies | bus topology | tree topology | peer-to-peer topology | ring topology |
