Bus Topology: Advantages and Disadvantages

The bus topology is a linear network configuration where devices are connected through a single cable, sharing the same data transmission path. The signal travels from the source to all connected devices, and only the intended recipient accepts the message. However, this simplicity comes with limitations, such as dependency on the central cable and limitations in the number of nodes that can be connected. Despite these limitations, bus topology is a common and cost-effective option for small workgroup local area networks. Its features include a single main cable, BNC and T connectors, terminators, and the ability to transmit data in one direction only.

BUS TOPOLOGY

Network Topology and Types
Network topology has been one of the most researched topic in today’s world with the increased
importance of network. The topology of the network is an arrangement of network that is formed
in a communication network. The topology of network is an arrangement or the formation of
various types of networks of telecommunication. The topology of the communication also
includes command and control of radio networks, computer networks and industrial fieldbuses.
The topology of the network is the structural form of the network presented in a topological way
both physically or logically. Various types of communication devices are put together with the
help of nodes that are bounded with the help of lines and links.
Physical topology is one type of structure that is seen among the networks where various
components of the networks are placed such as device location and installation of cable. On the
other hand, it is seen that the logical topology helps in representing the way data flows in
between networks. However, the nodes, physical interconnections, rate of transmission and
signals may different from one network to another. However, the topology of these nodes,
physical interconnections and others are identical in nature. One of the example of network
topologies are seen in the local area network that is LAN. It is seen that in a LAN there are nodes
that has physical links with the devices in other network. These links are mapped graphically in a
geometric shape. This shape of the links can be used to describe the physical topology of the
network. Similar format and process is followed in other types of network topology. LAN shows
various types of physical topologies over the time such as ring, bus, mesh and star.
Physical Topologies

There are various types of topologies that map the series of network, especially LAN design such
as start topology, bus topology, ring topology and mesh topology. These the four types of
physical topologies seen in the network.
Star topology
This is the first types of topology that is formed by physical link in LAN in which all computers
are seen to be connected under one hub or switch. The hub and the switch that is connected
usually helps in disbursing the flow of data within the network this is the most common type of
topology that is seen in the network and it follows the Ethernet standard. The start topology is
seen in most of the LAN and is of good standard.
Bus topology
This is yet another types of topology in which the arrangement of various devices and computers
are seen that are connected in a single linear cable form and is called the trunk of networks. The
trunk that is formed in this type of topology are referred to as the backbone of the segment and
each of the trunk is seen to be discharged over the time. The discharge that is happening helps in
preventing the signal to rebounding back to the cable. This is yet another type of topology that is
developed in a network and is considered the backbone or the main part.
Ring topology
Ring topology is a type of topology in which the devices are seen to be connected to a closed
loop cable. This type of topology does not have any kind of terminating ends and thus every
system is connected to each other. Thus it is seen that when one system in the topology crashes
then the entire network crashes down. In this type of topology each functions of the computer
helps in charging the signal before sending it to other stations.

Mesh topology
This is yet another type of physical topology in which the topology help sin linking nodes with
connections. These connections helps in seeing that multiple paths between some of the points in
the networks are available. The topology of this network is in a fully meshed form, however,
there are two types of meshed network such as fully meshed and partially meshed. The fully
meshed topology is formed when all the nodes in the network are directly connected to each
other without any particular format. Further, the partially meshed topology is formed when only
some of the nodes are connected to each other. The resilience of the meshing to create multiple
paths when faced under failure, however, it tends to increase cost. One of the example of mesh
network is internet in which it is a mesh topology where all nodes are connected to each other in
a mesh form.
Logical Topologies
The above showed the types of physical topologies that are seen in the entire theory of network
topology. A logical topology is also seen in the network topology that helps in explaining the
relationship between nodes and logical connections that exists. The logical connection of the
nodes differs from the physical path that the nodes are passing by. All types of physical topology
is seen to have a logical connection within itself that explains the way in which the topology has
been formed.
What is Bus Topology?
Bus topology is one kind of physical topology that also has some kind of logical connection in
their nodes. A bus topology is seen to consist devices that are connected through single cable.
This single cable is then shared among all the connected devices so that they all can receive the

network. The bus topology is called as a linear bus because it connects all the computers in a
straight or linear form. This topology of bus is one of the simplest and common form of topology
used to form connection. The cable that are connected to in a linear manner is known as the
trunk. The communication in bus topology takes place with the help of three things such as
sending a particular signal, bouncing back of the signal and terminating the signal. The bus
topology is considered as a topology for local area network in which the nodes are seen to be
connected in a simplest form. However, this type of topology is seen to be at risk between the
entire segments depends on each other and fails to work if any one backbone is broken.
The functioning of the bus topology helps in understanding the way in which this topology
works. In this topology it is seen that a signal from the source is broadcasted and then it travels to
all the related workstations that are connected to the bus cable. In this signal all the messages are
broadcasted, however, only the recipients whose MAC address matched accepts the messages.
On the other hand, if the IP or the MAC address does not matched the intended address then the
machine is seen to discards the signal. In a bus topology it is seen that the terminator is added at
the end of the cable that is centrally located and this helps in preventing the bouncing the signals.
To connect the terminators a barrel connector is required.
There are various others functioning of bus topology seen over the network. Being a linear
connectivity network it is seen that when a single signal is sent in terms of an electronic signals
then the signal carries the address of the respective receiver. Moreover, if the sent signal is seen
to be left uninterrupted then it goes bouncing back and forth. This is the serious issue seen in the
bus topology operation because in case of this the cable does not get free and the computers will
fail to send any kind of other signal. This shows that even though bus topology is the simplest
form of topology seen in LAN yet there are issues seen in this network. Thus, the more the

network is simpler the more difficult it becomes to manage them because every activity is
interrelated and dependent on each other.
Features of Bus Topology
There are specific features attached to bus topology that helps in showing the difference it holds
with other topology. Some of the features that the bus topology holds are:
 A bus topology helps in connecting two or more computers serially with the help of main
cable which acts like a center of the data traffic.
 The connectors that are used in this type of topology include BNC connector and T
connector along with terminators.
 The bus transmission topologies have different types of connectors known as coaxial
cable.
 The physical features of the bus topology consist of a single cable that is used as a data
center and is equipped with different types of connectors on each node and terminator.
 The bus topology has the capability of functioning itself similar to the functions of other
network topology.
 A host seen in the bus network is known as station or the workstation
 In a bus topology it is seen that every station is capable of receiving all network traffic
and each of this station has the priority of equal transmission.
 Bus topology is seen to form a single network segment and a collision domain in their
structure that makes it possible for them to connect to others.
 This type of topology is seen to transmit data only in one direction instead of transmitting
it in different directions and making the things complex.

These some of the common features seen in bus topology that helps in creating the connectivity
through LAN. Further, it is seen that this topology is usually used in a small workgroup local
area network that do not handle complex and diverse work. The computers in this small group is
connected using a single thinnet cable and makes it possible for the formation of bus topology.
Further, the bus topology is used for the trunk cables that helps in connecting hubs or switches of
LANs to a larger type of LAN that are covered around wider area. It is also used in back boning
that acts like a support system for the networks. This is done by joining the switches and the
routers to form a network around the campus easily and with less amount of interference. Thus,
these are some of the most important usage that a bus topology is involved in to make LAN work
effectively. One of the most important feature of bus topology is that it is one of the cheapest
way of connecting the computer to the local area network or a workgroup.
The most common example of bus topology is the Ethernet network that uses this topology to
form an effective and speedy network connection. The hub on the Ethernet network is seen to be
a collapsed bus topology in which the network is seen to appear to be a wired along with star
topology. However, the hub of the Ethernet network internally contains a collapsed bus that
creates a configuration called the star wired bus. One of the best thing that the Ethernet network
receive even after having a bus topology is that when one cables fails to operates it does not
affect the entire network. This shows that it is not necessary in a bus topology that in case of
failure of one system the entire network fails. Further, it is seen that there are also
communication issues seen in bus networks and that indicates that the ends of the bus are not
terminated properly. A cable tested is used to test the nature and the location of the problem that
exists in this type of topology. This shows the areas in which bus topology works and the type of
characteristics that it holds.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Bus Topology
Every kind of network topology has some or the other kind of advantages and disadvantages of
its own that helps determine the efficiency level of the topology. The advantages of the bus
topology can be seen from the fact that it is one of the easiest network to be set-up and lead
expansion in the near future. This is because the bus topology is a linear topology and does not
involve complex formation of networks. Further, it is seen that the length of the cable that is
required for the bus topology is the least when compared to other kinds of networks because it
only requires one cable line to connect the network to all the computers. Thirdly, bus topology
has the advantages of less cost that is required to implement the network in the workgroup. This
is because least cost is required in purchasing the cable along with low setup cost. Further, the

bus topology is considered the most convenient topology for the small networks that does not
require complex network or cover wide area. This type of topology is the best for using in local
area network. In order to develop the bus topology there is no interruption made in other network
devices that are already set from the past. This is the major reason behind the usage of bus
topology so that the other wide area network and their topology are not hampered in any way.
Along with the advantages the bus topology also faces various disadvantages that makes the
implementation of the topology difficult. The disadvantages needs to be overcome to make the
best use of the bus topology network. One of the disadvantages of drawbacks of bus topology
that has been seen in that there is a limit to the length of the central cable that needs to be used
and cannot be extended to unlimited length. Further, there are also limitations in the number of
nodes that can be connected to each other and is not wide and large like other topology such as
the mesh topology or star topology. In addition to this, it is seen that the dependency rate of this
type of topology on the central cable also has some disadvantages because in case of failure of
main cable or the bus the entire network collapses. One of the most evident disadvantages of the
bus topology is that a proper termination is required while dumping the signals and it is difficult
to detect any fault that is seen in individual station. This is because everything is connected by
one network and issue of one single area cannot be solved. Pointing out on the efficiency of the
bus network it is seen that the efficiency reduces as the devices connected to the network
increases. This means that the network is able to control only limited number of devices under
them. Thus, the bus topology can be said to be unsuitable for the usage in networks that has
heavy traffics because with single linear network cable the speed decreases and becomes slow.
Moreover, the security in this network is also very low because all the computers connected to
this single network receive the sent signal directly from the source. Thus, the flow of information

in and around the network is not secured under any encryption and subjected to leakage. This is
the major reason that this topology si not suitable for large workgroup.