Network Topologies: Types, Advantages, Disadvantages, Devices, TCP/IP and OSI Models

Network Topologies

NETWORK TOPOLOGIES
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Table of Contents
Network Topology.................................................................................................................................2
Differences between network topologies..............................................................................................2
The benefits and limitations of the various network topologies...........................................................4
Bus topology......................................................................................................................................4
Advantages....................................................................................................................................4
Disadvantages................................................................................................................................4
Ring topology.....................................................................................................................................5
Advantages....................................................................................................................................5
Disadvantages................................................................................................................................5
Mesh Topology..................................................................................................................................5
Advantages....................................................................................................................................5
Disadvantages................................................................................................................................5
Tree topology....................................................................................................................................5
Advantages....................................................................................................................................5
Disadvantages................................................................................................................................6
Various network devices that will be seen in the topology...................................................................6
Routers..............................................................................................................................................6
Hub....................................................................................................................................................7
Switches.............................................................................................................................................7
Difference between Hub and switch.................................................................................................8
The TCP/IP model and OSI model..........................................................................................................8
References...........................................................................................................................................10

NETWORK TOPOLOGIES
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Network Topology
A network topology is defined as a physical layout of a computer network in
which two or more computer nodes are connected to each other. It provides a platform
to interconnect computer networks and topology refer as a process that describes how
the data or information is transmitted between nodes (Al-Sultan, Al-Doori, Al-Bayatti, &
Zedan 2014). The main purpose of this report is to describe the various kinds of
network topologies and their advantages and disadvantages. There are mainly two
types of network topologies used in information technology, for example, physical and
logical. Physical topology emphasizes two or more communicating devices with nodes
and the logical topology focuses on the shape of the data transmission process.
Differences between network topologies
There are many types of network topologies used in computer systems which are
described below:
 Bus topology
 Ring topology
 STAR topology
 MESH topology
 TREE topology
 HYBRID topology
Top
olog
y
Architecture Routing
methods
Complex
ity
Expansio
n
Reliability cost Cabling
concer
ns
Secur
ity

NETWORK TOPOLOGIES
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Star In this type
of process,
the nodes of
the network
are
interconnect
ed to a main
central node.
In which
all data
transfer
by the
central
network
system
Very
simple
and easy
For
connectio
n, a new
computer
is
required
More
reliable
More
costly
Uses
twisted
pair
data
cables
DOS
attack
Bus In this type
of topology,
only a single
bus is used
to connect
two or more
nodes
One
computer
device
transfer
data at a
time.
Very
simplest
for the
LAN
To add
other
periphera
l devices
people
should
shut
down the
devices
and
remove
all data
cables
Less
reliability
Very
cheap
A
single
cable is
used
Less
secur
e
Ring In which
each
computer
node is
connected
with two
branches
Data is
transferre
d into
only one
direction
Used for
LANs
The
connectio
n
between
node
must be
removed
to add
computer
system
Large
reliability
More
expansiv
e
Needs
numbe
rs of
data
cables
Less
secur
e
Mes In this type
of topologies
Can be
used for
Used for
WANs
Connectio
n systems
Troublesho
oting is
Very
expensiv
Cabling
depend
More
secur