This document discusses different types of computer network topologies and categories. It describes mesh, star, bus, and ring topologies, providing their key characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages. It also defines local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and metropolitan area networks (MANs), and discusses how multiple networks can be interconnected through an internet. The document serves to provide an overview of fundamental network topology and category concepts.

2. Different Types of
Networks and
Topologies
By,
T G Preethi , 19ifte073

3. Network Topology :
● Topology refers to the way in which the network of
computers is connected.
● Topology can also be defined as the geometrically
interconnection pattern by which the stations
(nodes/computers) are connected using suitable
transmission media (which can be point-to-point
and broadcast)

4. Types of network topology :
★ Mesh topology
★ Star topology
★ Bus topology
★ Ring topology

5. Mesh topology
❖ In mesh topology, each node is directly connected to
every other node on the network. This type of network
involves the concept of routes. Mesh topology is rarely
used in LAN. Some WANs like the Internet use mesh
topology.
❖ In mesh topology, each node can send message to the
destination through multiple paths. It means that each
node of mesh network has several possible paths to
send or to receive message.

6. Advantages
★ It has multiple links, so if one route is blocked then
other routes can be used for data communication.
★ It ensures the data privacy or security, because every
message travels along a dedicated link.
★ Troubleshooting of this topology is easy as compared
with other networks.
★ It performance is not affected with heavy load of data
transmission.

7. Disadvantages :
● It becomes very
expensive because a
large number of cabling
and I/O ports are
required.
● It is difficult to install.

8. Star Topology :
❖ In a star network, all computers or nodes are directly
connected to a central device.
❖ The the nodes are connected to the Hub with unshielded
twisted pair central device is called Hub.
❖ Star topology is most commonly used in LAN. This form of
network shape looks like a Star.
❖ In Star topology, the computers communicate with each
other through central Hub.
❖ The sending computer sends data to the Hub. The Hub
sends data to the receiving computer. In this way, data is
transferred from one computer to another.

9. Advantages :
★ It is easy to install and to
maintain.
★ New nodes can easily be
added and removed to and
from the central Hub
without affecting the
network.
★ If any node or cable fails,
other nodes are not affected

10. Disadvantages :
● It requires more cable than any other topologies.
● So it becomes more costly.
● This type of network depends upon the central
Hub.
● If Hub fails, the entire network breaks down.

11. Bus topology :
❖ In Bus topology, all nodes (or devices) are connected to a common
communication medium.
❖ Usually, a central cable is used as communication medium. This cable is called
Bus. The computers or nodes are connected to the Bus through interface
connector. In bus network, each computer is assigned a unique address.
❖ When a computer sends a message to another computer, it also attaches the
address of the destination computer with message.
❖ This message moves from one computer to other through the bus. Each
computer connected to the network checks the message.
❖ If the address matches with the address of computer, then it accepts the
message.
❖ Otherwise, the message moves to the next computer. In this way, the message
is received by the destination computer.

13. Advantages :
★ It is very simple and easy to install.
★ It requires small length of cable to connect
computers.
★ It is less expensive.
★ When a node is added and removed to and from the
network, the network is not affected.
★ If one node fails, other nodes are not affected.

14. Disadvantages :
● It can support only a small number of nodes or
computers.
● As the number of computers increases, the
network get slower.
● Entire network fails if there is any problem in the
central cable.

15. Ring Topology :
❖ In ring topology, each computer is connected to the next
computer and the last computer is connected to the first.
❖ Thus, a ring of computers is formed.
❖ When a computer sends a message to another computer
on the network, the message flows from one computer to
the next computer.
❖ Every computer receives message from previous
computer and transmits it to the next computer until the
destination computer receives the message.

16. Ring Topology :

17. Advantages :
★ Data is quickly transferred without a bottle neck
★ The transmission of data is relatively simple as
packets travel in one direction only.
★ Adding additional nodes has very little impact on
bandwidth
★ It prevents network collisions because of the media
access method or architecture required.

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

19. Categories of Networks
★ Network Category depends on its size
★ Two primary categories
LAN: Covers area < 2 miles
WAN: Can be worldwide
MAN: Between LAN & WAN, span 10s of
miles

20. Local Area Network (LAN)
● Privately owned
● Links devices in the same office, building, or
campus
● Simple LAN: 2 PCs & 1 printer in home or
office
● Size is limited to a few kilometers
● Allow resources to be shared (hardware,
software, or data)

21. Local Area Network (LAN)

22. Local Area Network (LAN)
❖ LAN is distinguished by:
Size (# users of OS, or licensing restrictions)
Transmission medium (only one type)
Topology (bus, ring, star)
❖ Data Rates (speed):
Early: 4 to 16 Mbps
Today: 100 to 1000 Mbps

23. Wide Area Networks (WAN)
➔ It Provides long-distance transmission of data over
large geographic areas (country, continent, world)
➔Switched WAN
Backbone of the Internet
➔Dial up line point-to-point WAN
Leased line from a telephone company

24. Wide Area Networks (WAN)

26. Metropolitan Area Networks (MAN)
❖ Size between LAN and WAN
❖ Inside a town or a city
❖ Example:
The part of the telephone company network
that can provide a high-speed DSL to the
customer

27. Interconnection of Networks:
Internetworks
Two or more networks connected together
The Internet
● Internet has revolutionized many aspects of our daily
lives.
● It has affected the way we do business as well as the
way we spend our leisure time.

28. Internetworks

29. ★ Internet is a communication system that has
brought a wealth of information to our fingertips
and organized it for our use
★ An internet is 2 or more networks that can
communicate with each other
★ The Internet is a collaboration of more than
hundreds of thousands of interconnected networks

30. Internet Today
★ Made of many LANs and WANs
★ Every day new networks area added and
removed
★ Internet services Providers (ISPs) offer
services to the end users
● International service providers
● National service providers
● Regional service providers
● Local service providers

31. THANK YOU....!