INFORMATION SHEET 2.

2-2

Network Topology

LEARNING OBJECTIVE

After reading this INFORMATION SHEET, STUDENT(S) MUST be able to:

 Explain and discuss the different types of network topology.

A logical topology is how devices appear connected to the user. A physical topology is
how they are actually interconnected with wires and cables. For example, in a shared
Ethernet network that uses hubs rather than switches, the logical topology appears as
if every node is connected to a common bus that runs from node to node. However, its
physical topology is a star, in which every node on the network connects to a central
hub.
Think of a topology as a network's virtual shape or structure. This shape does not
necessarily correspond to the actual physical layout of the devices on the network. For
example, the computers on a home network may be arranged in a circle in a family
room, but it would be highly unlikely to find a ring topology there.

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BUS TOPOLOGY
Bus networks (not to be confused with the system bus of a computer) use a common
backbone to connect all devices. A single cable, the backbone functions as a shared
communication medium that devices attach or tap into with an interface connector. A
device wanting to communicate with another device on the network sends a broadcast
message onto the wire that all other devices see, but only the intended recipient
actually accepts and processes the message.

Figure 1.1: Bus Topology

Ethernet bus topologies are relatively easy to install and don't require much cabling
compared to the alternatives. 10Base-2 ("ThinNet") and 10Base-5 ("ThickNet") both
were popular Ethernet cabling options many years ago for bus topologies. However,
bus networks work best with a limited number of devices.
If more than a few dozen computers are added to a network bus, performance
problems will likely result. In addition, if the backbone cable fails, the entire network
effectively becomes unusable.

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RING TOPOLOGY
In a ring network, every device has exactly two neighbors for communication
purposes.
All messages travel through a ring in the same direction (either "clockwise" or
"counterclockwise"). A failure in any cable or device breaks the loop and can take
down the entire network.
To implement a ring network, one typically uses FDDI, SONET, or Token Ring
technology. Ring topologies are found in some office buildings or school campuses.

Figure 1.2: Ring Topology

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STAR TOPOLOGY
Many home networks use the star topology. A star network features a central
connection point called a "hub node" that may be a network hub, switch or router.
Devices typically connect to the hub with Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) Ethernet.
Compared to the bus topology, a star network generally requires more cable, but a
failure in any star network cable will only take down one computer's network access
and not the entire LAN. (If the hub/switch fails, however, the entire network also fails.)

Figure 1.3: Ring Topology

TREE TOPOLOGY

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A tree topology joins multiple star topologies together onto a bus. In its simplest form,
only hub devices connect directly to the tree bus, and each hub functions as the root
of a tree of devices. This bus/star hybrid approach supports future expansion of the
network much better than a bus (limited in the number of devices due to the
broadcast traffic it generates) or a star (limited by the number of hub connection
points) alone.
MESH TOPOLOGY
Mesh topology introduces the concept of routes. Unlike each of the previous
topologies, messages sent on a mesh network can take any of several possible paths
from source to destination. (Recall that even in a ring, although two cable paths exist,
messages can only travel in one direction.) Some WANs, most notably the Internet,
employ mesh routing.

A mesh network in which every device connects to every other is called a full mesh. As
shown in the illustration below, partial mesh networks also exist in which some
devices connect only indirectly to others.

SUMMARY
Topology remains an important part of network design theory. You can probably build
a home or small business computer network without understanding the difference
between a bus design and a star design, but becoming familiar with the standard
topologies gives you a better understanding of important networking concepts like
hubs, broadcasts, and routes.

References
https://www.lifewire.com/computer-network-topology-817884
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https://www.scribd.com/document/163907160/3-Configure-Computer

https://www.coursehero.com/file/12996754/A-logical-topology-is-how-devices-
appear-connected-to-the-user/

https://prezi.com/sfwiennduauz/networks/

https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/46301/logical-vs-physical-topology

https://sites.google.com/site/i2net71/network-basics/network-topologies

https://itsjustusdeveloperstutorialservices.wordpress.com/

https://www.scribd.com/document/11690530/Network-Topologies

https://www.edrawsoft.com/Network-Topologies.php

https://www.scribd.com/document/345380813/Topology-in-Network-Design

http://tigerjohn.blogspot.com/

https://www.coursehero.com/file/pmo056/Ring-Topology-In-a-ring-network-every-
device-has-exactly-two-neighbors-for/

https://in.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100120101753AAKIrsZ

https://wafiqgoblog.wordpress.com/2015/05/22/what-is-network-topology/
https://www.bayt.com/en/specialties/q/43656/what-is-tcp-ip-networking-
topologies/

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https://www.ukessays.com/essays/computer-science/advantages-and-
disadvantages-of-star-topology-computer-science-essay.php
http://wiki.expertiza.ncsu.edu/index.php/CSC/ECE_506_Spring_2011/ch12
https://www.scribd.com/document/349171411/Topology-docx
https://www.coursehero.com/file/p55knam/To-implement-a-ring-network-one-
typically-uses-FDDI-SONET-or-Token-Ring/
https://www.scribd.com/document/269277718/Topology
http://pseudobit.blogspot.com/2014/07/network-classification-by-network.html
https://www.scribd.com/document/349189378/Mess-Topolgy
https://www.keyword-suggest-tool.com/search/types+of+network+topologies/
https://www.slideserve.com/karis/data-communications-and-networking
https://docplayer.net/41437420-The-challenge-of-interconnect-topologies-to-improve-
communication-in-supercomputers.html
https://1642598126.rsc.cdn77.org/testbankonly/pdf/Integrated-Advertising-
Promotion-and-Marketing-Communications-5th-Edition-Clow-Test-Bank.pdf
http://ailinsecurity.blogspot.com/
https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-types-of-network-topology-What-are-the-
advantages-and-disadvantages

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 SELF CHECK 2.1-2

Learner’s Name: Date:

Direction: Encircle the best answer. If you chose the wrong answer, don’t fight for
it, instead let go and moved on, or else you’ll get hurt. Don’t play with questionnaire,
it did nothing to you. Answer according to your mind and heart’s content, and pray
that this test will love you back. 

1. Topology introduces the concept of routes.

a. Ring Topology
b. Mesh Topology
c. Tree Topology
d. Star Topology

2. Topology joins multiple star topologies together onto a bus.

a. Mesh Topology
b. Star Topology
c. Ring Topology
d. Tree Topology

3. Features a central connection point called a "hub node" that may be a

network hub, switch or router.

a. Star Topology
b. Tree Topology
c. Ring Topology
d. Mesh Topology

4. Every device has exactly two neighbors for communication purposes.

a. Mesh Topology
b. Star Topology
c. Ring Topology
d. Tree Topology

5. Use a common backbone to connect all devices.

a. Internet
b. Ethernet
c. Bus networks
d. Topologies

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TRUE OR FALSE: Write T if the statement is TRUE and F if the statement is
FALSE.
1. Ring topologies are found in some office buildings or school campuses.
2. Ethernet bus topologies are relatively easy to install and don't require
much cabling compared to the alternatives.
3. If the backbone cable fails, the entire network effectively becomes usable.
4. Only hub devices connect directly to the tree bus, and each hub functions
as the root of a tree of devices.
5. Devices typically connect to the hub with Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP)
Ethernet.

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 ANSWER KEY 2.1-2

MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. B
2. D
3. A
4. C
5. C

TRUE OR FALSE
1. T
2. T
3. F
4. T
5. T

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