Network Topologies
The bus topology is probably one of the most simple network topologies. It is a network architecture in which clients are all connected through a shared communication line. All of the devices are on a network and connected to a common central cable known as a bus or backbone. Some of the major advantages to using a bus topology is that it is relatively inexpensive and it has the capability to add new devices to the network by simply connecting them to the bus, making this an easy network to work with. However, if the main cable fails, the entire network will shut down. Then comes to difficulty of determining why the cable failed. Another advantage to the bus topology is that any computer can be accessed directly and it allows messages to be sent quickly. A disadvantage to the bus is that it needs a scheduler to assign the frequencies and priorities that organize the flow of information. Due to the fact that the bus topology has a relatively low cost and simple configuration, it is the most widely used network in business today.
Another topology that is a common network among business is the star network. A reason that the star network is used quite often is because of its simplicity and easy of use. It consists of one central switch, hub or computer that acts as the conduit for the flow of information. In a star topology, each device is connected to a hub. A hub is a type of hardware that receives all of the data on the network and routes it to the proper location.
Star networks are easy to install and update because all of the devices are connected directly to the hub. One advantage that the star network has is that when a company needs to reconfigure its network all they have to do is make the required changes to the hub instead of the entire network. Since each device is connected directly to the hub, it is easy to find the problems in the star networks. By having all of the devices connected to the central hub it reduces the chance of the entire network failing, but if the hub fails the entire network will shut down.
A ring network is a network topology in which each device every device has exactly two neighbors for communication purposes. This forms a circular pathway for the signals, thus creating a ring. This is how the network received its name. A ring topology is more reliable that some of the other topologies because if one device fails, the network administrator the network hardware can route data around the failing node. All of the data in a ring network only travels in one direction whether it is clockwise or counter-clockwise it does not matter. The down side to a ring network is that they are relatively expensive and somewhat difficult to install.