Dept. of Communication Eng. College of Engineering Subject: Data Communication and Networking Lecture No.

: 4

Class: 3th Date: Thu. 1/3/2012 Time: 50 min.

Title: Network Topologies

Behavioral Objectives: The student should be able to: 1. Understand the concept of network topology. 2. Know the types of network topology. 3. Distinguish between the configurations of network topologies. 4. Realize the advantages and disadvantages of each type of network topology.

Teaching Tools White Board, White Board Marker, Data Show and Computer. Teaching Method Offering a lecture and Interrogation methods. Lesson Steps: 1. Introduction (5 minutes): In the previous lecture, we talked about the types of link connection inside the network, and how these connections can be used to provide data communication between the devices inside a network.

Teacher: Now, who can tell me the types of link connection?

1

Student: The types of link connection are point to point and multipoint. Teacher: Good.

Teacher: Who can define the point to point connection? Student: It is a type of link connection that provides a dedicated link between two devices, such as T.V. remote control. Teacher: Very Good.

Teacher: What is meant by multipoint connection? Student: it is a type of link connection in which more than two specific devices share a single link, such as satellite broadcasting. Teacher: Very Good.

2. Content of Lesson (40 minutes): The term Network topology refers to the way in which a network is laid out physically. Two or more devices connected to a link form a topology. There are four basic topologies possible: mesh, star, bus, and ring as shown in Fig. (a). It is necessary to consider some aspects such as cost, complexity, fault identification, before choosing a certain topology.

Figure (a): Basic Topologies

Mesh Topology
2

 In a mesh topology, every device has a dedicated point-to-point link to every other device. The number of physical links in a fully connected mesh network with n nodes, is n(n - 1) for one way physical links. However, if each physical link allows communication in both directions (duplex mode), the number of required links will be:

n(n -1) /2
duplex-mode links. See Fig.(b) (five stations mesh network).

Figure (b): Mesh Topology

A mesh offers several advantages over other network topologies: 1) The use of dedicated links guarantees that each connection can carry its own data load, thus eliminating the traffic problems that can occur when links must be shared by multiple devices. 2) A mesh topology is robust. If one link becomes unusable, it does not incapacitate the entire system. 3) The advantage of privacy or security. When every message travels along a dedicated line, only the intended recipient sees it. Physical boundaries prevent other users from gaining access to messages.

The disadvantages of a mesh are:

3

1) Installation and reconnection are difficult. 2) The sheer bulk of the wiring can be greater than the available space (in walls, ceilings, or floors) can accommodate. 3) The hardware required to connect each link make it expensive. Teacher: How many duplex links are required to connect 3 stations in mesh? Student: 3 Teacher: Very Good

Star Topology
In a star topology, each device has a dedicated point-to-point link only to a central controller, usually called a HUB. The devices are not directly linked to one another. Unlike a mesh topology, a star topology does not allow direct traffic between devices. The controller acts as an exchange: If one device wants to send data to another, it sends the data to the controller, which then relays the data to the other connected device as shown in Fig. (c).

Figure (c): Star Topology

Advantages of Star Topology 1) A star topology is less expensive than a mesh topology.
4

2) In a star, each device needs only one link and one I/O port to connect it to any number of others. 3) If one link fails, only that link is affected, all other links remain active. 4) Easy fault identification and fault isolation. As long as the hub is working, it can be used to monitor link problems and bypass defective links. Disadvantages of Star Topology The dependency of the whole topology on one single point, the HUB. If the hub goes down, the whole system is dead.

Bus Topology
The preceding examples all describe point-to-point connections. A bus topology, on the other hand, is multipoint. One long cable acts as a backbone to link all the devices in a network as shown in Fig. (d).
Figure(d): Bus Topology

Nodes are connected to the bus cable by drop lines and taps. A drop line is a connection running between the device and the main cable. A tap is a connector that either splices into the main cable or punctures the sheathing of a cable to create a contact with the metallic core. Advantages of bus topology include: 1) Ease of installation.
5

2) Backbone cable can be laid along the most efficient path, and then connected to the nodes by drop lines of various lengths. 3) A bus uses less cabling than mesh or star topologies. Disadvantages of bus topology include: 1) Difficult reconnection and fault isolation. 2) A bus is usually designed to be optimally efficient at installation; therefore, adding new devices may require modification or replacement of the backbone. 3) Signal reflection at the taps can cause degradation in quality. This degradation can be controlled by limiting the number and spacing of devices connected to a given length of cable. Teacher: What is the most effective part in Bus network? Student: The backbone cable. Teacher: Good

Ring Topology
In a ring topology, each device has a dedicated point-to-point connection with only the two devices on either side of it. A signal is passed along the ring in one direction, from device to device, until it reaches its destination. Each device in the ring incorporates a repeater. When a device receives a signal intended for another device, its repeater regenerates the bits and passes them along as shown in Fig. (e).

Figure (e): Ring Topology

Advantages: A ring is relatively easy to install and reconfigure. Each device is linked to only its immediate neighbors (either physically or logically). To add or delete a device requires changing only two connections. Disadvantage: Unidirectional traffic can be a disadvantage. In a simple ring, a break in the ring (such as a disabled station) can disable the entire network. This weakness can be solved by using a dual ring or a switch capable of closing off the break.

3. Evaluation (5 minutes): Teacher: what should be taken into account before choosing a topology? Student: It is important to consider the cost, complexity, robustness, and the way of exchanging data among devices inside the network. Teacher: Very good.

Teacher: On what does the network topology classification depend? Student: It depends on the connection of the devices inside the network and the type of link connection to be used. Teacher: Good.

4. Homework Assignment:
7

 What are the best topologies that can be used for bank services? Why? If there is a break in the Ring of a Ring topologized network, how can this break be solved? References: 1. Andrew S. Tanenbaum, Computer Networks, Prentice-Hall, 4th Ed., March 17, 2003.
2.

Behrouz.A.

Forouzan,

"

Data

Communications

and

Networking, Mc-Graw Hill, 4th Ed., 2007. 3. William Stalling, Data and Computer Communication, Mc - Graw Hill, 5th Ed., 1997.