Topologies |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
Mesh (Interconnected) Networks:
each device has a dedicated point-to-point link to every other devices
n(n-1)/2 physical links
each device must have (n-1) I/O ports. |
- The use of dedicated links guarantees that each connection can carry its data load. No
traffic problems
- Robust: If one link becomes unusable, it doesn't incapacitate the entire system.
- Privacy/Security
- Easy fault identification & isolation
|
- The amount of cabling & I/O ports
- Installation and reconfiguration are difficult
- The sheer bulk of wiring could be more that the available space can accommodate.
- Expensive
|
*Star (Centralized) Network
each device has a dedicated point-to-point link ONLY to a central controller |
- Less expensive than Mesh
- Each device needs only one link & one I/O port. It's easy to install and configure.
- Robust: Once fails, only that link is affected.
|
- Since each node must be linked to a central hub, more cabling is required than Tree,
Ring or Bus.
|
*Tree (Hierarchical) Network:
Variation of a Star; Not every device plugs into a central hub |
- The same as the Star, plus
- Because of the secondary hub, more devices can be attached to a hub, which increases the
distance
- Allows the network to isolate and prioritize communications.
|
The same as the Star |
Bus Network:
One long cable acts as a backbone to link all the devices. |
- Ease of installation
- Less cabling than Mesh, Star, or Tree
|
- Difficult to reconfigure and fault isolation
- Difficult to add new devices
- A fault or break in the bus stops all transmission.
|
*Ring (Loop) Network:
each device has a dedicated point-to-point line configuration only with the two devices on
either side of it. |
- Easy to install & configure
- Fault isolation is simplified because a signal is circulating all the time
|
- There are constraints on the maximum ring length and the number of devices installed
- A break in the ring can disable the entire network.
- Unidirectional traffic requires to have dual ring for bi-directional traffic.
|
| * WAN topologies |
