This document discusses different types of computer network topologies including bus, ring, star, mesh, and hybrid topologies. It defines what a topology is and distinguishes between physical and logical topologies. For each topology type, it provides descriptions of their characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages.

1. TYPE OF COMMPUTER NETWORKS

2. A network topology is an arrangement of nodes in a
computer network with an established link of
communication.
Topology can be viewed as a layout of a computer
network. It is also viewed either as a Physical
Topology and Logical Topology.
Physical Topology is the placement of various
nodes and Logical Topology deals with the data
flow in the network.

3. • BUS TOPOLOGY
• RING TOPOLOGY
• STAR TOPOLOGY
• MESH TOPOLOGY
• HYBRID TOPOLGY

4. In a bus topology all data transmitted between nodes
in the network is transmitted over the common
transmission medium and is able to be received by all
nodes in the network simultaneously.
A signal containing the address of the intended
receiving machine travels from a source machine in
both directions to all machines connected to the bus
until it finds the intended recipient.

5. ADVANTAGES
• Less Expensive
• Suited for a temporary network
• Node failures does not affect others
DISADVANTAGES
• Not fault tolerant
• Limited cable length
• No security

6. A ring topology is similar to a bus topology but it is in
a close loop. In a ring topology all nodes have equal
rights and neither are superior or inferior to the
other. It is classified as a Peer-to-peer Network.
Every node in a ring topology has two connections:
one to each of its nearest neighbors. And the
communication of a ring topology is always
unidirectional, which means that the flow of
connection travels only in one direction.

7. Ring topology is also called as a token ring topology
such that it communicates with the use of a token.
The node that holds the token means that it is its turn
to send the data and after a point in time the token
will be passed on to the next node.

8. ADVANTAGES
• Performance is better than a Bus Topology
• Can cause bottleneck due to weak links
• All nodes are with equal access
DISADVANTAGES
• Unidirectional. Single point of failure will affect
the whole network.
• The higher the load the lower the performance
• No security

9. In a star topology, every node is connected to each
other but not directly but with the help of a central
node (hub/switch). The central node helps centralized
the management and all traffic must pass through it.
When a node sends a data to another node the data
flows first to the central node and it is the central
node that will manage and send the data to the
intended recipient.

10. This is a variation of a star topology. It connects two
or more star topologies to each other with the help of
a repeater

11. ADVANTAGES
• Easy to design and implement
• Centralized administration
• Scalable
DISADVANTAGES
• Central node failure affects the whole network
• Bottlenecks due to overloaded switch/hub
• Increased cost due to switch/hub

12. All nodes in the network of a mesh topology are
directly connected to each other. This type of
topology is very reliable as it is fault tolerant which
means that the data flow will not be disrupted even if
one connection was cutted off.

13. ADVANTAGES
• Fault Tolerant
• Reliable
DISADVANTAGES
• Issues with Broadcasting messages
• Expensive and impractical for large networks

14. A hybrid topology is a combination of two or more
types of network topologies.

16. Get 1/4 sheet of yellow pad and answer the following
questions.

17. Test I: Identification
1. It is an arrangement of nodes in a computer
network with an established link of communication.
2. It deals with the dat flow.
3. It is a variation of a star topology.
4. A combination of multiple topologies.
5. Can be viewed as a layout of a computer network.
Test II: Enumeration
1-5. List the various types of network topologies.
Test III: Essay
1. How to choose the right network topology that is
best for your network?