Ring Network: A Resilient Redundant Network

The ring topology is a type of computer network that uses a circular configuration to connect devices. It is characterized by a single cable that connects each device in a circular pattern, with data transmitted from one device to another in the same direction. The ring topology has several benefits, including increased reliability and scalability, as well as improved performance under heavy network pressure. However, it also has some limitations, such as being more difficult and costly to install, as well as slower transmission speeds compared to other networks. Despite these limitations, the ring topology is widely used in various applications, including service providers and core and aggregation networks.

Ring Topology

Looking closer at Network Topology
In order to briefly understand the aspects of ring topology and its features, having knowledge of
network topology becomes significant. Network Topology or NT refers to the understanding of
the mapping or arrangement of elements like nodes, links and other related component of
network interlink between the several nodes. It is recognized that topologies often varies as per
logical and physical aspects. The logical topology means the process of transferring actual data
in the network as contrasting to its design. On the other hand, physical topology recognized as
physical plan of network involving the location, cable and device installation. The term topology
is broadly used to determine the design or layout of the computer network to which elements are
virtually or physically connected to the manner such connections are preserved or made. Provide
that several need that networks are used to fulfil, there are various different network topologies
in general use and all have their own feature or specific benefits. This paper is aim to take closer
look at ring topology that is one of the distinctive network type in network topology.
Determination of network topology
The topologies are specifically described in diagrammatic or schematic form with icons or
symbols depicting nodes, and lines representing the runs or connection of cables. The
communication or transmission protocol and types utilized in designing connection might be
recognized by logical or single network topology. The authentic geometric configuration of
cables and workstation is explained by certain physical system topology. The topologies of
physical network comes in several form, explained as follows-
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Figure 1: Types of NT or Network Topology
Bus-network topology: This network is effective for local regional networks and topology or
network has particular network cable running in the campus or building. Every node is connected
with the communication line having two-endpoint called backbone or bus as represented in the
figure. In this topology, in case single node have goes defective every node might be influenced
as every node share similar cable for receiving or sending the information. The cost of cabling
for bus system is least of all various topologies.
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Ring-network topology: It is another type of network topology can be used for domestic or
neighbourhood area networks. In this network type, cable goes through single nodes to other till
every node is interlinked in design of singe ring or loop. The topology has direct point-to-point
connection between two adjacent nodes. The networks are unidirectional that confirm that
transmission by single node transverse overall ring and goes back goes back to the node forming
the below presented figure.
Star-network topology: This network is utilized as central point through which every element is
interlinked. In the star topology, the main centre is host computer and every connection has
terminal ending. Provide the below figure, nodes help to interact across the network by
transmitting information or data through central point. The start topology utilize potential
number of cables as every terminal is cabled back to main hub, in case two terminal of adjacent
but various hundred meter apart from the host. The main hub undertake every routine decisions
and other workstations might be simple.
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Mesh-network topology: It is one of the forms of network topology in which devices are
interlinked with several redundant connections between nodes of network. The defects in single
computer do not impact other network breakdown as there exists alternative route to different
computers. The cable need are high, however there is different redundant pathway built in.
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Tree-network topology: This topology is of hybrid form similar to star network, however nodes
are interlinked to secondary main point that is later interlinked to central point. The tree-network
belongs to group of star topology interlinked to linear bus-backbone.
Understanding ring topology
A ring topology is a form of network topology having all nodes interlinked to exactly two
distinctive nodes, resulting a sole consistent route for signals through all nodes forming a ring. In
this, network the information travels from node to node with all nodes along the path handling all
packet. Rings might be unidirectional with every traffic drifting either anticlockwise or
clockwise and bidirectional or around the ring like in SDH or SONET. The unidirectional ring
network offers only specific route between two nodes and may be hampered by defect of one
link. The single directional ring network is also called half-duplex topology and easier to
maintain rather than two directional or bidirectional ring network. For instance, SDH and
SONET network has been standardized set of connection protocol that transmits data streams
over optical fibers. On the contrary, bidirectional ring-topology access data traffic in dual
direction and may be certain full-duplex network. A cable break or node failure may isolate all
noted linked to the ring. In reaction, certain ring typology add C-Ring or counter-rotating ring to
construct a redundant network: in instance of any break, the data or information get covered back
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onto complementary ring prior accomplishing the cable end, maintaining a route to all nodes
along the follow-on C-Ring. The respective dual-ring topology involve spatial reuse protocol,
FDDI or Fiber distributed data interface, ITU-T’s system network telephony SS7 or signalling
system 7 and IBM token-ring topology also called resilient packet ring 802.5 eliminate. They
eliminate weakness of ring network altogether and utilize star network at media access point as
well as at physical layer to company ring at the layer of data-link. Every signalling system 7 or
SS7 with certain SDH or SONET rings has two group of two-directional connection between
nodes. It facilitates failure or maintenance at several units of the ring generally without failure of
main traffic on exterior ring by exchanging the traffic onto interior ring pass the loss point. The
ring network or topologies are mainly used in either wide-area network or WANs or local-area
network or LANs based on the kind of network card utilized in all computer of ring topology.
The RJ-45 and coaxial cable network is utilized to interlink computers together.
In ring topology defective nodes may be restricted from the ring and at time workstations are
powered on, it link itself to the loop. At time of power is turned off, the nodes disconnect
themselves from the loop and facilitate data to bypass the joint. The most widely implementation
of such network is known as token-ring. A rupture in the ring lead overall network to not succeed
and single nodes may be inaccessible from the ring. The Token Passing in the ring network is a
term that is widely talked about.
Token Passing: A token consist pieces of information that along with information or data is
transmit by the main or source computer. In order words, a specific token relate to permission
packet that facilitate single node the authentication to release data over the selected network. The
token than surpass to next link that examine if the signal is anticipated to it. In case of yes, it
collects it and surpasses the empty into the channel, or else surpass token along data to adjacent
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node. The procedure continues to the time the signal achieved its assumed destination. A token is
routinely surpasses from single link to other link point or nodes. The nodes consisting token are
only permitted to send information and other nodes often wait for certain empty token to attain
them. This topology is generally found in small buildings, offices and schools.
The ring network might be optimum at time the system needs are humble and workstations are at
dispersed points. In case the workstation are convincingly near to the vertices of convex polygon,
the expense may be decreased than that of other network at time of selecting cable pathway to
reduce the overall length of required cable. Damage in the ring network’s cable might lead to
tarnished data speed between workstation pairs due to which data route is improved as outcome
of the rupture. In case two rupture occur and both are in common cable section, certain
workshops would be disconnected from others. In case system reliability is of essential concern,
a star or bus network topology might prove superior to the ring topology. For the need of
redundancy, mesh network is also preferred. Moreover, token ring has been broadly
implemented ring network type at present.
History
In past decades, the ring network or topologies were mostly utilized in offices, smaller building
and school building, where networks are minor. At present, ring network is rarely used due to
switching to other kind of networks for enhancing performance, support and stability.
Benefits (pro) of Ring Topology
 It decreases probability of data clash as every node facilitate certain data packet after
achieving the token
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 Ring topology is well organized network, where all device has admittance to the token with a
chance to transfer
 It perform effectively than bus network under heavy network pressure
 The topology do not need main or central node to maintain connection between computers
 The point-to-point linear arrangement makes it easier to recognize and limit faults
 The rearrangement for linear errors of bidirectional rings might be rapid as shift take place at
higher level and therefore the traffic do not need individual rerouting
 The servers does not require to control connection across various nodes
 Ring network facilitate equal availability to resources
 An extra workstations might be added without influencing network performance
 Data may transmitted within workstations at higher speed
 Ring topology facilitate great performance for tiny amount of workstations or often longer
network having all stations common workload
 The network might span long distances rather than other topology type
 Ring network is easily expandable and do not show signal failure unlike bus topology
because the token are re-generate at every end as data packet
Limitation (cons) of Ring Topology
 Ring network is often difficult and costlier to install
 It is hard to track fault in specific ring topology
 The loss of single computer on a network may impact the overall network
 The removal or addition of computers might disrupt the network
 It sometimes slower in comparison to Ethernet network within normal load or stress
 The communication hindrance is directly comparative to nodes number in the network
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 The ring network is complex to configure compare to star: node adjunction equals to
reconfiguration and ring shutdown
 A bandwidth is mutual on every links within devices
 Every data transmitted over network need to pass through all workstation on network making
it slower than even star network or topology
Where and why Ring Topology or RT is used
The ring topology is widely used for economical reason. It is most common network in service
provider admittance as well as common in Core and Aggregation topology as well.
Delusion about ring topology
Access protocol of Ring Topology
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