Network Topology Explained In Simple Terms

network configuration is called network topology. It is the layout pattern of interconnections of the various elements (links, nodes, etc.) of a computer network. Imagine building a colony and the number of possibilites to connect several houses you can have. Network topologies may be physical or logical. Physical topology means the physical design of a network including the devices, location and cable installation. Logical topology refers to how data is actually transferred in a network as opposed to its physical design.

Types

• Complete or mesh
• Star
• Ring
• Bus - Linear Bus and Extended Bus
• Tree
• Hybrid

Mesh Topology

It is the type of topology where each computer(a.k.a. nodes) is interconnected with every other computer. It is a type of networking wherein each node in the network may act as an independent router, regardless of whether it is connected to another network or not. A mesh network whose nodes are all connected to each other is a fully connected network.

Star Topology

A star network consists of one central switch, hub or computer, which acts as a conduit to transmit messages. The star topology reduces the chance of network failure by connecting all of the systems to a central node.

Ring Topology

A ring network is a network in which each node connects to exactly two other nodes, forming a single continuous pathway for signals through each node - a ring. Data travels from node to node, with each node along the way handling every packet. The data is transferred only in one pathway between two nodes.

Bus Topology

A bus network is a network architecture in which a set of clients are connected via a shared communications line, called a bus. Bus networks are the simplest way to connect multiple clients, but may have problems when two clients want to transmit at the same time on the same bus.

Tree topology

The type of network in which a central 'root' node (the top level of the hierarchy) is connected to one or more other nodes that are one level lower in the hierarchy (i.e., the second level) with a point-to-point link between each of the second level nodes and the top level central 'root' node. The hierarchy of the tree is symmetrical.

Hybrid Topology

A hybrid is a combination of two or more basic network topologies, such as a star-bus, star-ring, etc. In this topology, central and distributed topologies are combined to meet the needs of an organization.