Unit 02: LO 3 - 3.1 - Network Topologies

Describe the differences between a range of network topologies

Assessment

Report with images

Network topologies:

bus
ring
star
mesh

Pick either bus or ring AND star or mesh to describe or for your report.

network topologies are like the roadmaps for how computers talk to each other. They show how each computer, or "node," is connected. Here are some of the most common types:

Bus Topology

What It Is: Imagine a long bus with stops along the way. In a bus topology, all computers are connected to a single central cable, known as the "bus."

Differences:

Simple & Easy to Install: You just plug each new computer into the main cable.
Single Point of Failure: If the main cable fails, the whole network goes down.
Limited Scale: Good for small networks but can get slow as more computers are added.

Ring Topology

What It Is: Think of this like a merry-go-round where each computer is a seat. Each computer is connected to exactly two other computers, forming a closed loop.

Differences:

Data Flows in One Direction: This can make it slower because data may have to pass through several computers to reach its destination.
Simple to Install and Set Up: But if one computer fails, the whole network is affected.

Star Topology

What It Is: This is like a celebrity and their fans. The celebrity is a central node (often a switch or hub), and the fans are the computers. Each computer is directly connected to this central node.

Differences:

Robust: If one cable or computer fails, the others are not affected.
Easy to Add More Computers: Just connect them to the central node.
Dependent on Central Node: If that fails, the whole network goes down.

Mesh Topology

What It Is: Imagine a spider web, where each node is connected to several other nodes. That's mesh topology for you.

Differences:

Super Reliable: If one connection fails, data can take another route.
Complex and Expensive: Because each computer is connected to multiple others, it requires more cables and setup.
Best for Large, Critical Networks: Like those used by big companies or for internet infrastructure.

So there you have it! Each topology has its own set of perks and drawbacks. Bus is simple but not super robust. Ring is also simple but can be slow. Star is robust and easy to expand but relies on a central node. Mesh is super reliable but complex and expensive to set up.