Network Topology — Networking Part-1
A topology is a layout of a network, which determines how the network communicates with different devices. Both the physical and logical structure of nodes and connections in a network.
Physical topologies showcase the actual physical wired layout, showing where and how exactly the network is connected. Logical topologies show the logical network path along which data travels from one end to the other.
Thanking my leaders for making my hands dirty on Networking and secure the cloud accounts and On-prem workloads.
Cdr Praveen Kumar (CISO) — https://www.linkedin.com/in/cdr-praveen-kumar-0532ba6/
Saurabh Arora — https://www.linkedin.com/in/saurabh-arora-a72b4922/
Now let’s discuss on important network topologies :)
- Star Topology.
- Bus Topology.
- Ring Topology.
- Mesh Topology.
- Hybrid Topology.
- Tree Topology.
Star Topology —
Star topology is a network topology in which each network component is physically connected to a central node such as a router, hub or switch.In a star topology, the central hub acts like a server and the connecting nodes act like clients. When the central node receives a packet from a connecting node, it can pass the packet on to other nodes in the network. A star topology is also known as a star network.
Advantages of Star Topology —
Star topology is suitable for small to medium-sized networks that require simple and reliable communication between nodes. For example, you can use star topology for a home network, a small office network, or a classroom network, where you have a limited number of devices and a low demand for bandwidth. Star topology is also suitable for networks that use a single protocol or standard, such as Ethernet or Wi-Fi, because the central device can handle the data transmission without any compatibility issues.
Disadvantages of Star Topology —
Star topology is not suitable for large and complex networks that require high performance and flexibility. For example, you should not use star topology for a data center network, a campus network, or a wide area network, where you have hundreds or thousands of devices and a high demand for bandwidth and security. Star topology is also not suitable for networks that use multiple protocols or standards.
Bus Topology —
Bus topology is a type of network topology in which all devices are connected to a single cable called a “bus.” This cable serves as a shared communication medium, allowing all devices on the network to receive the same signal simultaneously.
Advantages of Bus Topology —
Bus topology is commonly used in small to medium-sized local area networks (LANs), where it can be used to connect devices such as computers, printers, and other peripherals.
Disadvantages of Star Topology —
Bus topology is not appropriate for critical networks because of its single point of failure. If the central cable fails, the entire network will be down.
Ring Topology —
Ring topology is a type of network configuration where devices are connected in a circular manner, forming a closed loop. In this setup, each device is connected to exactly two other devices, creating a continuous pathway for data transmission. This means that data travels in only one direction around the ring, passing through each device until it reaches its destination.
Advantages of Ring Topology —
Though you probably won’t see a ring topology in a modern network, there are still several advantages to ring topologies. In ring network topologies, each node gets equal time share. Ring topologies make sure all the computers don’t try to talk at the same time, and they also eliminate collisions.
Disadvantages of Ring Topology —
One of the downsides to a ring topology is that a break in the ring could render the entire ring useless. Traffic also flowed in a singular direction. This was mitigated by dual ring networks, but that increased the cost. If two separate nodes had a break in the ring, the same problem existed as a singular break in a one ring topology. The issue at hand was that a break in the network could impact the functionality of it.
Mesh Topology —
This is similar in cloud computing, In AWS we call this as VPC Peering.
Mesh topology is a network configuration where devices are interconnected in a decentralized manner. Instead of relying on a central hub or switch, each device connects directly to multiple other devices, forming a mesh-like structure. It allows for multiple paths between devices, enhancing redundancy and fault tolerance.
Advantages of Mesh Topology —
Using a mesh topology offers several advantages. First, it provides robustness and fault tolerance since there are multiple paths for data to travel. If one connection fails, the data can be rerouted through an alternative path. Second, it supports high scalability as new devices can be added easily without disrupting the existing network. Additionally, mesh topology ensures efficient data transmission since there is no need for data to pass through a central hub. Finally, it enables better privacy and security since there are no single points of failure or unauthorized access.
Disadvantages of Mesh Topology —
There are high chances of redundancy in many of the network connections. Overall cost of this network is way too high as compared to other network topologies. Set-up and maintenance of this topology is very difficult. Even administration of the network is tough.
Hybrid Topology —
Hybrid topology is a network structure that combines two or more different types of topologies, such as star, ring, bus, or mesh. It’s designed to leverage the strengths and minimize the weaknesses of the individual topologies it incorporates.
Advantages of Hybrid Topology —
Hybrid topology can offer several advantages. For one, it provides high reliability — if one part of the network fails, it doesn’t necessarily affect the rest. Additionally, it offers scalability, allowing you to easily add or remove nodes without disrupting the entire network. It’s also highly flexible, letting you design a network that suits your specific needs.
Disadvantages of Hybrid Topology —
Hybrid networks are complex to design and set up. Their design requires significant effort as it goes beyond simple popular topologies and their implementation blueprints. Moreover, their complexity comes at a high deployment cost. In most cases, hybrid networks require expensive capital investments on elements like intelligent hubs, cooling infrastructure, and sophisticated networking devices. Overall, hybrid topologies are suited for large-scale deployments, yet they are inappropriate for simpler and smaller-scale projects.
Tree Tropology —
This is a combination of Bus and Star topology. Many hubs directly connected to the Bus and computers directly connected to the hubs.In networking, tree topology is a structure where devices are connected hierarchically. It resembles a tree with a root node and various branches. The root node is connected to multiple levels of child nodes, forming a hierarchy.
Advantages of Tree Topology —
Tree topology offers excellent scalability, as new devices can be easily added by connecting them to existing nodes. It also provides a logical layout that’s well-suited for large organizations, making it easier to manage and troubleshoot network issues.
Disadvantages of Tree Topology —
When many segments added, Maintenance becomes difficult.The failure of the backbone network can affect all devices in the network.
Thanks to the contributors —
Purnendu G — https://www.linkedin.com/in/purnendu-g-871718167/
Kushank Sehgal — https://www.linkedin.com/in/kushank-sehgal-b4b3936b/
