Types of Network Topology

Overview of Types of Network Topology

Network Topology designates to a computer network’s physical or logical arrangement of devices, nodes, and links. The networking process involves connecting devices and enabling them to communicate. Topology in computer network plays a crucial role in determining the performance, reliability, and scalability of the network.

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Physical topology provides an overview of the arrangement of the physical network devices. Logical topology defines the way data transfers in the physical topology. Both are necessary as the network’s overall performance, security, and scalability depend on them.

The use of network topology is enormous, right from simple internet to trending artificial intelligence. Different types of network topologies play their role in various applications.

Key Highlights

Network Topology represents the arrangement of network setup and how each node and link relate to each other and their connections.
It helps the administrators to find the organization of the network infrastructure. It provides better visualization to understand the dependency of each device in the infrastructure.
There are several types of network topology, which the organization can choose based on the network size, suitability, and objectives of their business.

Let us look at the Network Topology types available.

1. Bus Topology

The bus topology connects each device on the network to a common main cable, creating a single communication path for all nodes. One point transmits data along a single route to another point. We cannot transmit data in both ways. Linear Bus Topology is the term used for this topology when it has exactly two endpoints and is primarily utilized for small networks.

Working

A single backbone cable connects all devices. The backbone cable can be a coaxial cable or a twisted pair cable.

Data transmission: When a device wants to transmit data, it sends data over the backbone cable. The data transmitted over the network goes through the backbone cable in both directions.
Data reception: Each device on the network actively checks the data to determine if it intends for it. The device accepts the data if it’s intended for it. Otherwise, it ignores the data.
Acknowledgment: The device sends a confirmation or acknowledgment back to the sender to indicate that it has received the data.
Collision detection: In a bus topology, collision is possible when two devices try to transmit data simultaneously. To prevent this, we use the CSMA/CD protocol. The abbreviation CSMA/CD represents the networking protocol known as Carrier Sense Multiple Access or Collision Detection. In this protocol, each device listens to the network before transmitting data. If the network is busy, it waits a random amount of time before trying again.
Cable break: A cable break in the backbone cable can cause the entire network to fail. Therefore, it is essential to have a backup cable or segment in case of a cable break.

CSMA and Its Types

CSMA or Carrier Sense Multiple Access verifies each node before sharing the information to ensure the node is free from other traffic. It is usually a MAC (Medium Access Control) protocol. This helps to avoid collision situations between two stations using the same node to share the information.

There are two types of CSMA.

CSMA CA: CSMA Collision Avoidance is a method to find if the transmission media is busy transmitting the data. If the media is busy, the sender has to wait until the current transmission media is free from the station.

CSMA CD: CSMA Collision Detection is a method of finding any collision that happens while transmitting the data. If any collision is detected, then the sender stops transmitting data.

Example:

Ethernet is a technology that helps to connect devices in LAN. It works by breaking the information into smaller pieces and sending it bit by bit to each and every node connected.

Advantages of Bus Topology

Bus topology is easy to set up and does not require a lot of cables.
It is suitable for small networks with a low number of devices.
It is cost-effective as it requires less cabling and hardware.
Failure of a single device does not affect the rest of the network.

Disadvantages of Bus Topology

A cable break in the backbone cable can cause the entire network to fail.
As the number of devices increases, the network performance can slow down.
It is challenging to identify and troubleshoot problems in the network.
It has limited scalability, as adding new devices to the network is challenging.

Application of Bus Topology

In a bus topology, All devices in the network actively link to a single cable or “bus.” Here are some typical applications of bus topology:

LANs (Local Area Networks): Small LANs often use bus topology, particularly in older Ethernet networks. In this type of network, all devices, such as computers and printers, are connected to a single cable, which allows for accessible communication and file sharing between them.
Industrial Control Systems: Companies such as manufacturing plants often use the Bus topology in their industrial control systems. In these systems, sensors, actuators, and other devices are connected to a single cable, which allows for real-time communication and control of the system.
CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) Systems: One can also use bus topology in CCTV systems, connecting cameras to a single cable that runs back to a central control unit. This allows for easy monitoring and control of the system.
Educational Networks: Educational networks often use the Bus topology, particularly in computer labs. The single cable in the Bus topology connects all computers in this network, which allows for accessible communication and file sharing between them.
Home Networks: Bus topology can be used in small home networks, particularly if the network is limited to a few devices. In this case, Connecting all devices in the Bus topology to a single cable is possible, simplifying network setup and maintenance.

2. Ring Topology

The devices in a ring topology, such as computers, printers, or servers, are interconnected in a circular or ring-like pattern, which forms a closed loop. Two other devices link each device in the Ring topology., positioned on either side. The last device in the chain connects to the first device, completing the circuit. Each device in a ring topology is linked to two other devices, one on either side, forming a continuous ring or loop. In a ring topology, data is transmitted in one direction around the circle, with each device on the network reading and passing on the data until it reaches its destination.

Working

The Ring topology connects devices in a closed loop or circle. Two neighboring devices connect each device in the Ring topology. Devices transmit data in a unidirectional manner around the ring. Although data transmission in a ring topology is typically unidirectional, One can configure it to support bidirectional communication by connecting each node with additional lines. This is known as Dual Ring Topology. Here, two ring networks are created, with the data flowing in opposite directions. The token-passing mechanism controls access to the network and prevents collisions between data packets. The token is a unique bit pattern that circulates around the ring, and only the device with the token can transmit data onto the network.

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To ensure orderly and efficient data transmission, Typically, a device waits for the token to be passed to it in the Ring topology before initiating data transfer. Once it receives the token, it changes the token to a data frame and attaches the data it wants to send to the frame. The device then sends the frame onto the network, traveling around the ring until it reaches its destination. Each device on the web reads the frame as it passes by and then forwards it to the next device on the ring.

When the data frame reaches its destination, the destination device removes the data from the frame and sends an acknowledgment signal back to the source device. The acknowledgment signal travels around the ring until it reaches the source device, indicating the successful transmission of data.

Example

In the token ring, data transfers to every node connected until it reaches back the place where it started. The data transfer is only in a unidirectional way.

Advantages of Ring Topology

The Benefits of a ring topology include the following:

Reliability: A ring topology provides redundancy, meaning that transmitting data through the other devices in the loop is possible if one device fails. This makes the network more reliable than different topologies where a single point of failure can bring down the entire network.
Balanced Network Traffic: In a ring topology, each device has an equal opportunity to transmit data, which helps to balance network traffic. This reduces the risk of congestion and ensures that all devices receive equal bandwidth.
Efficient Use of Network Resources: In a ring topology, data travels in one direction around the loop, meaning there is no need for collision detection or retransmission of data. Making it a more efficient use of network resources and can result in higher performance.
Scalability: A ring topology can easily scale up or down by removing or adding devices from the loop. This makes it a flexible option for networks that need to grow or shrink over time.
Security: A ring topology provides security because data can only travel in one direction around the loop. Thus, it makes it more challenging for hackers to intercept data or inject malicious code into the network.

Disadvantages of Ring Topology

Despite its advantages, a ring topology also has some disadvantages, including:

Failure of a Single Device: While a ring topology is reliable, the failure of a single device can disrupt the entire network. This can occur when a device fails to transmit data or the cable connecting two devices breaks.
Limited Number of Devices: A ring topology is limited in its support number. Each device must connect to the loop, which can determine the network’s size.
Difficult to Troubleshoot: When a failure occurs in a ring topology, it can be challenging to locate the source of the problem. Data travels in a circular loop, making it hard to pinpoint where the failure occurred.
Slow Performance: While a ring topology efficiently uses network resources, connecting many devices to the loop can also result in slow performance in the Ring topology. Data must travel through each device in the circle before reaching its destination.
Cost: Implementing a ring topology can be higher than other topologies, especially if the network needs to cover a large area. Each device in the Ring topology must connect to the loop with a dedicated cable, which can cause slow performance.

Applications

Some of the most common applications of ring topology are:

Local Area Networks (LANs): LANs commonly use the Ring topology, where a small group of computers connects to a network for data sharing and communication. It offers an efficient way to transmit data between computers without a central node.
Telecommunication Networks: Telecommunication networks use the Ring topology for voice and data transmission. In this application, the data flows in a circular path through the web, passing through each node. Devices transmit the data to its final destination.
Industrial Control Systems: Industrial control systems also use the Ring topology, where several devices, such as sensors and controllers, are connected in a ring to monitor and control various industrial processes.
Fiber Optic Networks: Fiber optic networks commonly use the Ring topology, where the data is transmitted through a circular path using fiber optic cables. It offers high-speed data transmission with minimal signal loss.

CCTV Systems: Ring topology is also used in closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems, where several cameras are connected in a loop to monitor a large area. It ensures that the data is transmitted efficiently and one can connect the cameras to the network without needing a central node.

3. Star Topology

In a star topology network, all devices directly link to a central switch or hub, serving as the central connection point. In this topology, Devices transmit data through the central hub, which then distributes the data to all devices connected. Hubs can either be active or passive, with active hubs containing repeaters and passive hubs being classified as non-intelligent nodes. Each node is connected directly to a central node, which serves as a repeater during data transmission.

Working

All devices on the network are connected to a central hub or switch using their separate cables. The central hub or the switch acts as a primary point of connection, allowing the devices to communicate with each other. When a device on the network wants to send data to another device, it first sends the data to the central hub or switches. The hub or switch receives the data and determines which device on the network is the intended recipient. The hub or switch then forwards the data to the intended device. If multiple devices on the network want to send data simultaneously, The hub or switch can prioritize the data and ensure orderly transmission. People commonly use coaxial cables or RJ-45 cables to connect computers in a physical star topology.

Coaxial cables were widely used in older Ethernet networks, while Modern networks commonly use RJ-45 cables (also known as Ethernet cables or Cat5 cables). Hubs are older and less efficient than switches, as they broadcast incoming data to all connected devices, while switches intelligently route data only to the devices that need it. It can improve network performance and reduce unnecessary traffic.

Example

One of the familiar examples of star topology is home WiFi, the router acts as a central node and all other devices connect to it. The communication between two devices happens with the help of the router only.

Advantages of Star Topology

There are several advantages to using a star topology in a network:

Easy to install and manage: All devices are connected to a central hub in a star topology, making it easy to add or remove devices without disrupting the network and quickly identifying and isolating network problems.
High reliability: Each device in a star topology connects to the central hub with a separate cable, which means that if one cable or device fails, it will not impact the rest of the network.
High performance: In a star topology, the data flow is centralized through the hub, reducing collisions and congestion on the network. This results in increased network performance and fast data transmission.
Easy to troubleshoot: Since each device connects to the central hub, it is easy to identify and isolate network problems, which makes it easy to troubleshoot and fix network issues.
Flexible: Adding new devices to the network can quickly expand a star topology, Making it a flexible topology that can grow and adapt to changing network requirements.

Disadvantages of Star Topology

There are a few disadvantages to using a star topology in a network:

The central point of failure: The hub or switch is the central point of communication in a star topology. If the hub or switch fails, the entire network can be affected.
Cost: A star topology requires more cabling and equipment than other network topologies, such as a bus topology. This can make it more expensive to install and maintain.
Limited scalability: As the number of devices in the network grows, the number of cables required to connect all devices to the hub or switch can become unwieldy. This can limit the scalability of the network.
Dependency on hub or switch: A star topology relies heavily on the hub or switch. The entire network can be affected if the hub or switch is not functioning correctly.
Complex cabling: While a star topology is easy to manage, setting up and configuring the cabling for an extensive network can be problematic. Proper planning and installation of cabling is crucial for ensuring network efficiency and effectiveness.

Applications

This type of network topology finds extensive use in various applications, including:

Local Area Networks (LANs): Star topology is LANs’ most commonly used topology. It connects computers, printers, and other devices in a small office or home network. In this application, the central hub is usually a switch or router, which manages the data flow between the devices.
Wide Area Networks (WANs): People use star topology in WANs, connecting multiple LANs to form a more extensive network. In this application, the central hub is usually a router, which manages the data flow between LANs.
Telephone Networks: The star topology is a network architecture in which all nodes (in this case, telephones) are connected to a central hub or switch. This switch is responsible for routing calls between the different telephones in a telephone network. In this application, the central switch manages the call routing and signaling between phones.
Video Conferencing Systems: Video conferencing systems commonly use a star topology, connecting participants to a central hub. The central hub manages the video and audio data flow between participants in this application.
Wireless Networks: The star topology is a popular choice for wireless networks. It enables all devices to connect wirelessly to a central access point, facilitating efficient communication and data transfer between the devices. In this application, the access point manages the wireless data flow between devices.

4. Mesh Topology

Network channels connect each node to all the other nodes in a mesh topology. Mesh topology is a point-to-point connection, which means that there are multiple paths that data can take between any two devices, providing redundancy and fault tolerance in case of a network failure.

The mesh topology supports two data transmission techniques: routing and flooding. The routing technique equips the nodes with routing logic, such as selecting the shortest distance path to the destination node or avoiding routes with broken connections. On the other hand, the flooding technique involves broadcasting the data to all network nodes, eliminating the need for the routing logic. While this technique enhances the network’s robustness, it may also generate unwanted network traffic and result in a heavy load on the network.

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Working

Each device in a mesh topology is linked to other devices on the network through a direct link. As a result, there are multiple paths for data to travel between any two devices on the network, providing redundancy and fault tolerance in case of a network failure.

The formula for calculating the number of connections required in a full mesh topology is as follows:

W = n * ( n – 1) / 2

Here, W represents the number of WAN connections, and n represents the number of stations. n is the number of devices on the network. For example, if there are 4 devices on the network, the formula would be:

4(4-1)/2 = 6

Thus, in a full mesh topology with 4 devices, there would be 6 connections required. However, in most practical applications, a partial mesh topology is used, where only some devices directly connect to every other network device. In this case, the number of connections required is calculated using the formula:

n(p-1)

Where n is the number of devices on the network, and p is the number of devices each directly connects to. For example, if there are 4 devices on the network and each device is directly connected to 2 other devices, the formula would be:

4(2-1) = 4

which means that in a partial mesh topology with 4 devices, where each device directly connects to 2 other devices, people would require 4 connections.

Types of mesh Topology

Full Mesh Topology: In a full mesh topology, each device directly connects to all other devices, resulting in multiple redundant paths for data transmission between any two devices. This setup offers the highest degree of fault tolerance and redundancy, ensuring that data can still travelling between devices even if one or more connections fail. However, a full mesh topology can be expensive and difficult to manage, especially in more extensive networks.
Partial Mesh Topology: In the partial mesh topology, only some devices directly connect to every other network device. Thus, it balances redundancy and cost-effectiveness, as people don’t need to connect all devices to every other device directly. In a partial mesh topology, people connect each device to at least two different devices, which means there are still multiple paths for data to travel between any two devices on the network. However, a partial mesh topology may have lower redundancy than a full mesh topology.

Example

In WAN, the routing logic helps to transfer the data to the destination node. Here the routing logic decides the shortest path to transfer the data to the nodes.

Advantages of Mesh Topology

Mesh topology has several advantages that make it a popular choice in networking applications, including:

Fault Tolerance: Mesh topology provides redundancy and multiple paths for data to travel between devices, which means that if one link fails, data can be rerouted through another, ensuring that the network remains operational even in a network failure.
Scalability: Mesh topology is scalable and can easily accommodate new devices without disrupting the existing network. New devices can be added to the network without affecting its performance, making it a popular choice for large networks.
Flexibility: Mesh topology provides network design and topology flexibility. People can design the network to suit the application’s specific needs, with devices connected in a full mesh or partial mesh configuration.
Reliability: Mesh topology provides a reliable way to manage networks, even in network failures. Having multiple paths available between devices allows the network to reroute data in the event of network failures, thereby ensuring that the network remains operational.
Security: Mesh topology provides a high level of security, as data can be transmitted over multiple paths between devices, making it difficult for attackers to intercept or disrupt the network.

Disadvantages of Mesh Topology

Mesh topology also has some disadvantages that should be considered while deciding whether to use it in a network, including:

Cost: Implementing a mesh topology, especially in large networks, can be expensive. Users must connect every device in the network to multiple other devices., which can require a significant amount of cabling, hardware, and infrastructure.
Complexity: Mesh topology can be complex to implement and manage, especially in more extensive networks. Users should use routing protocols and algorithms to drive traffic flow between devices. Failure detection and recovery mechanisms must be in place to ensure the network remains operational despite node failures.
Latency: In a mesh topology, data may need to travel through multiple nodes to reach its destination, increasing latency and affecting network performance. It can be problematic in applications with critical low latency, such as real-time communication or online gaming.
Network Overhead: The routing protocols used in mesh topology can generate significant network overhead, as devices must communicate with each other to manage traffic flow and detect node failures. However, it can affect network performance, especially in more extensive networks.
Power Consumption: In wireless mesh networks, devices must transmit and receive data over the air, which can consume significant amounts of power. It can be a problem in applications with limited battery life, such as IoT sensors.

Applications

Here are some examples of applications that use mesh topology:

Wireless Mesh Networks: Wireless mesh networks are a type of wireless network where devices communicate with each other over a mesh of interconnected nodes. Wireless mesh networks commonly use mesh topology as it provides a reliable and fault-tolerant way to manage the network, even in cases of node failures.
Industrial Control Systems: In industrial control systems, mesh topology connects sensors, actuators, and other devices to a central control system. It provides a reliable and fault-tolerant way to manage the system, even in harsh environments where devices may fail or become damaged.
Military and Defense Networks: Military and defense networks use mesh topology to establish a highly secure and reliable network infrastructure. Mesh topology allows multiple paths for data to travel between devices, providing redundancy and fault tolerance in case of network failures.
Smart Grids: Smart grid systems use mesh topology to connect various devices and sensors for monitoring and controlling power distribution. Mesh topology provides a reliable and fault-tolerant way to manage the system, even during network failures or power outages.
Peer-to-Peer Networks: Peer-to-peer (P2P) networks use mesh topology to connect devices and share resources, such as files or computing power. Mesh topology provides a decentralized and fault-tolerant way to manage the network, as data can be shared between devices without relying on a central server.

5. Tree Topology

A tree topology consists of a hierarchical structure that resembles a tree. In this type of network topology, a central node, also known as the root node, connects to one or more nodes, which in turn connect to additional nodes.

In a tree topology, “level 1” nodes refer to the nodes directly connected to the root node, while nodes connected to level 1 nodes are referred to as “level 2” nodes, and so on. This hierarchical structure can expand to multiple levels, creating a large and complex network.

Working

In a tree topology, all nodes connect to a central node, also known as the root node. Each node can have one or more child nodes, but it can only have one parent node.

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The communication in a tree topology happens hierarchically. Data travels from the leaf nodes to the root node or from the root node to the leaf nodes. When a node receives data, it checks to see if it is the intended recipient. If it is, the data is processed, and if it’s not, the node forwards the data to its child nodes.

The root node of a tree topology is typically a powerful computer or server that controls the flow of data and manages the network. You can also use it to set network policies and manage security.

Example

Companies and databases commonly use tree topologies to structure their computers and data.

Advantages of Tree Topology

Some advantages of using a tree topology in a network include the following:

Scalability: It is easy to scale tree topologies to include additional nodes and branches as the network grows without affecting the network’s performance.
Hierarchical structure: The hierarchical structure of a tree topology makes it easier to manage and organize large networks, as nodes can be grouped and managed by level.
Efficient data transmission: In a tree topology, data only needs to travel up or down the hierarchy to reach its destination, making data transmission more efficient and faster.
Centralized control: The root node in a tree topology provides centralized control over the network, making it easier to manage and monitor network traffic and security.
Redundancy: To build redundancy into a tree topology and ensure that the network remains operational even if one node fails, you can use multiple root nodes or backup systems.
Flexibility: Designers create tree topologies to fulfill specific network requirements, such as accommodating various devices and protocols.
Cost-effective: Tree topologies are cost-effective, as they require less cabling and hardware than other topologies, such as mesh or star topologies.

Disadvantages of Tree Topology

Some disadvantages of using a tree topology in a network include:

Single point of failure: The root node in a tree topology represents a single point of failure. The entire network can become unavailable if the root node fails or is disconnected.
Cost: While tree topologies can be cost-effective, they may require more cabling and hardware than other topologies, such as a bus or ring topology.
Complexity: As the network grows, the complexity of the tree topology can increase, making it more challenging to manage and troubleshoot.
A limited number of nodes: The number of branches created limits the number of nodes in a tree topology. In return, this can restrict the network’s scalability.
Performance issues: In some cases, data transmission in a tree topology may be slower than in other topologies, such as a mesh topology, especially if there is a lot of network traffic.
Maintenance: Maintaining and troubleshooting a tree topology can be more challenging than other topologies, especially if there are issues with the root node or the network branches.

Applications

Some typical applications of tree topologies include

Telecommunications networks: Telecommunications networks commonly use tree topologies. The root node is often a telephone exchange or a switching center, allowing for efficient communication between large numbers of devices, such as telephone lines, and makes it easier to manage and control network traffic.
Computer networks: Computer networks use tree topology, where they can organize workstations, servers, and other network devices that make managing and controlling network traffic easier and provides a scalable and efficient way to connect large numbers of devices.
Data centers: Data centers often use tree topologies, where they can use to connect servers and other network devices, allowing for efficient communication between devices and making it easier to manage and control network traffic.
Industrial control systems: People use tree topologies in industrial control systems, such as those used in manufacturing or process control, where they find a hierarchical structure helpful in organizing and managing large numbers of sensors and control devices.
Home networks: People can also use tree topologies in home networks, where they can associate multiple devices such as computers, printers, and other peripherals, Providing an optimized and scalable way to manage home networks and control network traffic.

6. Hybrid Topology

Hybrid topology refers to combining two or more different network topologies. It combines the advantages of each topology to create a more robust and flexible network infrastructure.

Types of Network Topology-Hybrid Topology

Working

Here are some of the most common hybrid topologies:

Star-Bus Topology: This hybrid topology combines the star and bus topologies. A central hub, or switch, connects multiple star topologies together, creating a bus topology. This topology provides a bus topology’s fault tolerance and scalability with a star topology’s ease of management and performance.
Star-Ring Topology: This hybrid topology combines the star and ring topologies. Devices connect to a central hub or switch in a star configuration, which then links to a ring topology in a hybrid ring and star topology configuration. This topology provides the redundancy and fault tolerance of a ring topology with the easy management and scalability of a star topology.
Mesh-Star Topology: This hybrid topology combines mesh and star topologies. A central hub or switch associates devices in a star configuration and then connects to other hubs or switches in a mesh configuration. This topology provides the redundancy and fault tolerance of a mesh topology with the easy management and scalability of a star topology.
Tree-Ring Topology: This hybrid topology combines the tree and ring topologies. A tree topology connects multiple ring topologies together, creating a hierarchical network infrastructure. This topology provides a tree topology’s scalability and fault tolerance with a ring topology’s redundancy and fault tolerance.

Example

Internet, the two or more network topologies combine to provide the services.

Advantages of Hybrid Topology

Scalability: Hybrid topology allows for adding new network segments, making it easier to scale up or down as per the organization’s needs.
Flexibility: Since a hybrid topology combines different topologies, it offers greater flexibility in network design, as the user can customize different segments to meet specific requirements.
Robustness: Hybrid topology offers better redundancy and fault tolerance than other topologies. If one segment fails, the network can continue functioning through another segment.
Cost-effective: Hybrid topology can be cost-effective because organizations can use existing infrastructure and add new technology only where necessary.
Improved Performance: Hybrid topology design can provide faster data transfer speeds, improved performance, and lower latency by selecting the most suitable topology for each network segment.

Disadvantages of Hybrid Topology

Complexity: Hybrid topology can be more complex than other topologies. It requires knowledge and expertise to design and maintain, leading to higher costs and a greater chance of errors or issues arising.
Maintenance: Hybrid topology requires regular maintenance to ensure all network segments function correctly. Implementing such a solution can become time-consuming and costly if an organization lacks in-house IT expertise.
Security: Hybrid topology can be more vulnerable to security threats than other topologies, combining different segments with different security protocols and configurations, creating potential weaknesses that hackers can exploit.
Compatibility: The different segments in a hybrid topology may use various technologies and protocols, making it challenging to ensure their compatibility. It can result in communication issues and performance problems.
Cost: While hybrid topology can be cost-effective in some cases, it can also be more expensive than other topologies, particularly if the organization needs to invest in new infrastructure or technology to support the hybrid network.

Applications

Large organizations and enterprises: Large organizations and enterprises often use hybrid topology to create a robust and flexible network infrastructure that can support a large number of devices and users.
Data centers: Data centers commonly use hybrid topology to create scalable and fault-tolerant network infrastructure that can handle high volumes of traffic and data.
Cloud computing: Cloud computing utilizes hybrid topology to establish a flexible and scalable network infrastructure capable of supporting various types of workloads and applications.
Industrial automation: Industrial automation utilizes hybrid topology to establish a reliable and robust network infrastructure that can support real-time control and monitoring of machines and equipment.
Internet of Things (IoT): IoT applications use hybrid topology to provide a scalable and flexible network infrastructure capable of supporting multiple devices and sensors.
Telecommunications: Telecommunications uses hybrid topology to create a robust and fault-tolerant network infrastructure capable of handling high volumes of data and voice traffic.

Final Thoughts

A network layout plays an important role in the functioning of the network. Hence it is significant to choose the appropriate topology. We have explored different network topologies and their respective advantages and disadvantages, along with applications. According to our requirements, it will now be easy for us to choose which one of the network topology types to use.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Which type of network topology is most scalable?
Answer: Among all the types of network topology, star topology is the most scalable one. The measurement of a network topology’s scalability is a network’s ability to cope with the load. In star topology, adding or removing the devices from the central connection, switch, or hub is accessible.

Q2. Is mesh topology LAN or WAN?
Answer: LAN or Local Area Network that provides full bandwidth to each of the connected devices in the network. The common mesh network is a LAN that provides efficient bandwidth connectivity. WAN, or Wide Area Network, is a partial mesh network or a tree topology.

Q3. What is physical topology?
Answer: The Physical topology is the arrangement of physical devices like switches, hubs, or computers through a cable. It is usually observed in LAN. The bus, ring, and star topologies are examples of physical topology.

Q4. What is computer topology?
Answer: The network structure that represents the interconnection of the devices is computer topology. It consists of two types physical and logical topology.

Q5. Why is it called topology?
Answer: Topology is a Greek word where ‘Topo’ means ‘space or place’ and ‘logy’ means ‘study.’ Hence topology is the study of a place that has some connections between devices. The study of network topology involves examining all the devices that interconnect with cables.

Sources: https://www.educba.com/types-of-network-topology/

Overview of Types of Network Topology

Key Highlights