NETWORK TOPOLOGIES

 

1. Bus Topology:

          Nodes are connected to a single, shared cable, like a backbone.

          Data travels in one direction along the cable, accessible to all nodes.

          Simple and inexpensive to set up.

          Vulnerable to cable failure, as it can disrupt the entire network.

2. Star Topology:

          Nodes connect to a central hub or switch, forming a star-like pattern.

          Data flows through the central device, managing and routing traffic.

          Easy to manage, troubleshoot, and expand.

          If the central device fails, the entire network is affected

3. Ring Topology:

          Nodes form a closed loop, with each node connected to two neighboring nodes.

          Data travels in one direction around the ring.

          Efficient for passing tokens or messages in a specific order.

          Failure of one node can disrupt the entire network.

4. Tree Topology:

          Combines features of bus and star topologies, forming a hierarchical structure.

          A central device (root) connects to multiple nodes (branches), which can have further branches.

Suitable for large networks with multiple levels of hierarchy.

5. Mesh Topology:

          Nodes connect directly to multiple other nodes, creating a web-like structure.

          Provides redundant paths for data, making it highly fault-tolerant.

          Complex to set up and manage, often used in backbone networks.

6. Hybrid Topology:

Combines two or more topologies to create a customized network structure.

          Offers flexibility and can address specific network requirements.

          Common examples include star-bus and star-ring topologies.

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