Describe the different types of network topologies.
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Bus Topology:
Description: In a bus topology, all devices are connected to a central communication channel called the bus. The devices share this single communication line.
Technical Details:
Advantages:
Simple and easy to implement.
Cost-effective for small networks.
Suitable for linear and small-sized networks.
Disadvantages:
Limited scalability as adding more devices can lead to performance degradation.
Single point of failure (if the central bus fails, the entire network goes down).
Star Topology:
Description: In a star topology, all devices are connected to a central hub or switch. The hub or switch acts as a repeater for data flow.
Technical Details:
Advantages:
Easy to install and manage.
Centralized control and easy to identify and isolate problems.
No disruption to other devices if one device fails.
Disadvantages:
Dependency on the central hub; failure of the hub disrupts the entire network.
Costlier due to the need for a central device.
Ring Topology:
Description: In a ring topology, each device is connected to exactly two other devices, forming a closed loop.
Technical Details:
Advantages:
Data travels in one direction, reducing collisions.
Simple and easy to install.
Disadvantages:
Failure of one device can disrupt the entire network.
Difficult to troubleshoot and reconfigure.
Mesh Topology:
Description: In a mesh topology, every device is connected to every other device in the network, creating multiple paths for data transmission.
Technical Details:
Advantages:
Robust and fault-tolerant; multiple paths ensure network stability.
High scalability and reliability.
Disadvantages:
High implementation cost due to numerous connections.
Complex to install and manage.
Hybrid Topology:
Description: Hybrid topology is a combination of two or more different types of topologies.
Technical Details:
Advantages:
Offers flexibility and scalability.
Allows for optimizing the network based on specific requirements.
Disadvantages:
Complex to design and manage.
Costlier due to the combination of different topologies.
Tree Topology:
Description: Tree topology combines characteristics of star and bus topologies, forming a hierarchy.
Technical Details:
Advantages:
Scalable and can cover larger areas.
Allows for easy management and troubleshooting in smaller segments.
Disadvantages:
Dependency on the root node; failure can affect the entire branch.
