Hybrid Topology

Hybrid Topology

Hybrid topology is an 'integration of two or more different topologies to form a resultant topology which has many advantages (as well as disadvantages) of all the constituent basic topologies rather than having characteristics of one specific topology.

 This combination of topologies is done according to the requirements of  the organization. For example if there is a ring topology in one office department while a bus topology in another department  connecting these two will result in Hybrid topology. Star Ring and Star  Bus networks are most common examples of' hybrid network.

A hybrid topology always forms in the instance two different basic network topologies are connected. One common example, the star ring network, is made up of at least two topologies that are linked by utilizing a multi-station access unit, or MAU, as the centralized hub.

 A star bus network is made up of two or more topologies as well, but the topologies are connected by a bus trunk.

Network topology is classified as logical or physical. Logical topology refers to the transference of data within a network, while physical topology defines the network's design. Devices, cable installation and location are included in a physical topology's schematics.

Physical topology is associated with the core network while logical topology uses basic protocols for transferring information. As a result, physical topology concerns itself with the installation of the devices, while logical topology is connected to how the information is conveyed.

Hybrid Topology

Advantages:

1) Reliable: Unlike other networks fault detection and troubleshooting is easy in this type of topology.The part in which fault is detected can be isolated from the rest of network and required corrective measures can be taken without affecting the functioning of rest of the network.

2) Scalable: It is easy to increase the size of network by adding new  components without disturbing existing architecture.

  

3) Flexible: Hybrid Network can be designed according to the requirements of the organization and by optimizing the available resources. Special care can be given to nodes where traffic is high as well as where chances of fault are high.

4) Effective: Hybrid topology is the combination of two or more topologies, so we can design it in such a way that strengths of constituent topologies are maximized while there weaknesses are neutralized. For example we saw Ring Topology has good data reliability (achieved by use of tokens)  and Star topology has high tolerance capability (as each node is not directly connected to other but through central device) so these two can be used effectively in hybrid star ring topology.

Disadvantages:

1) Complexity of Design: One of the biggest drawbacks of hybrid topology is

its design. It is not easy to design this type of architecture and it is a tough job

for designers. Configuration and installation process needs to be very efficient.

2) Costly Hub: The hubs used to connect two distinct networks are very  expensive. These hubs are different from usual hubs as they need to be

intelligent enough to work with different architectures and should be function even if a part of network is down.

3)  Costly Infrastructure: As hybrid architectures are usually larger in scale

they require a lot of cables cooling systems and sophisticate network devices.

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Mesh Topology

Mesh Topology

What is mesh topology in computer network?

In this type of topology, you'll find that there's a path from every machine to every other one in the network.There's a lot of connections in fact, the mesh topology wins the prize for "most physical connection per device".

 You won't find it used in LANs very often, if ever, these days, but you will find a modified version of it known of it as a hybrid mesh used in a restrained manner on WANs, including the internet. 

often, hybrid mesh topology networks will have a few connections between certain place to create redundancy. And other types of topologies can sometimes be found in the mix, too, which is another reason in the mix, too which is another reason it's dubbed hybrid.

 Just remember that it isn't a full on mesh topology if there isn't a connection between all devices in the network. And understand that it's fairly complicated below figure gives you a great picture of just how much only four connection can complicated things.

Mesh Topology

Advantages:

1. Data can be transmitted from different devices simultaneously.
2.  This topology can withstand high traffic.
3. Each connection can carry its own data load.
4. Even if one of the components fails there is always an alternative present,So data transfer doesn’t get affected.
5. It is robust.
6. A fault is diagnosed easily.
7. Expansion and modification in topology can be done without disrupting other nodes.
8. Provides security and privacy.

Disadvantages:

1. Installation and configuration are difficult if the connectivity gets more.
2. There are high chances of redundancy in many of the network connections.
3. Overall cost of this network is way too high as compared to other network topologies.
4. Cabling cost is more and the most in case of a fully connected mesh topology.
5. Bulk wiring is required.

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Ring Topology

Ring Topology

What is ring topology in computer network?

In this types of topology, each computer is directly connected to the other computer within the same network.In below figure you can see that the network's data flow from computer back to the back to the source, with the network's primary cable forming a ring.

The problem is, the ring topology has a lot in common with the bus topology because if you want to the network, you have no choice but to break the cable ring, which is likely to bring down the entire network.

This is on big reason that ring topology isn't is popular you just won't run into it a lot as i did in the 1980s and early 1990s. It's also pricey because you need several cables to connect each computer, it's really hard to reconfigure, and as you've probably, it's not fault tolerant.

But even with all that being said, if you work ast an ISP, you may still find a physical ring topology in use for a technology called SONET or some other WAN technology. However, just won't find any LAN in physical rings anymore.

Ring Topology

Advantages:

1. Data is quickly transferred without a ‘bottle neck’.
2. This type of network topology is very organized. Each node gets to send the data when it receives an   empty token. This helps to reduces chances of collision. Also in ring topology all the traffic flows in only one  direction at very high speed
3. Adding additional nodes has very little impact on bandwidth
4. It prevents network collisions because of the media access method or architecture required.
5. Even when the load on the network increases, its performance is better than that of Bus topology.

Disadvantages:

1. Data packets must pass through every computer between the sender and recipient therefore this makes it slower.
2. If any of the nodes fail then the ring is broken and data cannot be transmitted successfully.
3. It is difficult to troubleshoot the ring.
4. Because all stations are wired together, to add a station you must shut down the network temporarily.
5. In order for all computers to communicate with each other, all computers must be turned on.
6. Total dependence upon the one cable.

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Star Topology

Star Topology

what is star topology in computer network?

A star topology's computers are connected to a central  point with their own individual cable or wireless connections.you'll often find the central spot inhabited by a device like a hub, a switch, or an access point.

   Star topology offers a lot of advantages over bus topology, making it making it more widely used even through it obviously requires more physical media.One of its best features it that because each computer or network segment is connected to central device individually, if the cable fails, it only brings down the machine or network segments related to the point of failure.

 This makes the network much more fault tolerant as well as a lot easier to troubleshoot. Another great thing about a star topology is that topology is that it's a lot more scalable all you have to do if you want to add to it is run a new cable and connect to the machine  at the core of star.In below figure, shows the structure of star topology.

 Star Topology with a Hub

Advantages:

1. New station can be added easily and quickly.
2. A single cable failure won't brings down the entrie network.
3. It's relatively easy to troubleshoot.
4. Centralized management. It helps in monitoring the network.
5. As compared to Bus topology it gives far much better performance,  signals don’t necessarily get transmitted to all the workstations.

Disadvantages:

1. The total installation cost can be higher because of a large number of cables, even through price becoming more competitive.
2. It has a single point of failure the hub or other central devices.
3. The central network device determines the performance and number of nodes the network can handle.

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Bus Topology

Bus Topology 

what is bus topology in computer networks?

Bus topology is the most basic of the bunch, and it really does sort of resemble does sort of resemble a bus, but more like one that's been in a wreck. Anyway the bus topology consist of  two distinct and terminated ends, with each of its computers connecting to one unbroken cable running its entire length.Back in the day, with used to attach computers to the main cable with wire taps,but this didn't work all that well so we began using drop cables in their place.

If we were dealing with 10Base2 Ethernet,we would slip a 'T' into the main cable anywhere we wanted to connect a device to it instead of using drop cables.

BUS Topology

Even through all the computer on the kind of network see all the data flowing through the cable, only the one computer, which the data is specifically addressed to, actually gets the data. some of the benefit of using a bus topology are the it's easy to install and it's physical topologies. But it also has some drawbacks.

 For instance, it hard to troubleshoot, change or move, and it really doesn't offer much in the way of fault tolerance because everything is connected to that single cable.This means the any fault in the cable would basically brings the whole network down.

Advantages:

1. It works well when you have a small network.
2. Easiest network topology for connecting computers or peripherals in a linear fashion.
3. Requires less cable length than a star topology.
4. Easy to implement and extend
5. Well suited for temporary networks.
6. Initially less expensive than other topologies
7.  It is a cheap topology.

Disadvantages:

1. Difficult to identify the problems if the whole network goes down.
2. It can be hard to troubleshoot individual device issues.
3. Not great for large networks.
4. Terminators are required for both ends of the main cable.
5. Additional devices slow the network down.
6. Limited cable length and number of stations.
7. If there is a problem with the cable, the entire network goes down.
8. Maintenance costs may be higher in the long run.
9. Performance degrades due heavy traffic. 
10. Low security.

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