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UNIT OF COMPETENCE
DETERMINE BEST-FIT TOPOLOGY

Learning Outcomes
 Identify key information source

 Determine user needs

 Develop best topology

 Determine Best-Fit Topology
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Unit Descriptor
 This unit defines the competence required to

determine the most appropriate way of networking

computers to meet user needs and business
requirements.
 LO1: Identify key information source
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Introduction to Network Topologies

 The term topology, or more specifically, network topology, refers to
the arrangement or physical layout of computers, cables, and other
components on the network.
 “Topology” is the standard term that most network professionals use
when they refer to the network’s basic design
Types of Network Topology:
 Physical Topology: is A network topology that describes the physical
layout of the wire and devices as well as the paths used by data
transmissions
 Logical Topology: are describe how information or data are
transmitted or moved through the physical topology across the network.
 Introduction to Network Topology
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There are four types of standard Physical topologies,

such as
1. Bus
2. Star
3. Ring
4. Mesh
 Bus Topology
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 Bus Topology
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What is Bus Topology?

 It is often referred to as a “linear bus” because the computers are
connected in a straight line. This is the simplest and most common
method of networking computers.
 In a bus topology, all computers are connected to a shared
communication line, called a trunk or a backbone.
 The computers are connected to the backbone using
T-connectors.
 Both ends of the backbone use terminators in order to prevent
reflection of signals or bounced signal.
 If the terminator is missing or is deliberately removed, the data
transmissions are disrupted.
 There is no central device or any special configuration.
 A bus topology is normally implemented with coaxial cable.
 Bus Topology
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Communication on the Bus

 In a bus topology, signals are broadcast to all stations. Each
computer checks the address on the signal (data frame) as it passes
along the bus. If the signal’s address matches that of the computer,
the computer processes the signal. If the address doesn’t match, the
computer takes no action and the signal travels on down the bus.
 Only one computer can ‘talk’ on a network at a time. A media
access method (protocol) called CSMA/CD is used to handle the
collisions that occur when two signals are placed on the wire at the
same time.
 The bus topology is passive topology. In other words, the computers
on the bus simply ‘listen’ for a signal; they are not responsible for
moving the signal along.
 Bus Topology
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Network Expansion in bus topology

 As the physical size of the site grows, the network will need to grow as well.
Cable in the bus topology can be extended by one of the two following
methods
 A component called a barrel connector can connect two pieces of cable
together to make a longer piece of cable. However, connectors weaken the
signal and should be used carefully.
 One continuous cable is preferable to connecting several smaller ones with
connectors. Using too many connectors can prevent the signal from being
correctly received.
 Bus Topology
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Network Expansion in bus topology…

 A device called a repeater can be used to connect two cables.
 A repeater actually boost the signal before it sends the signal on
its way.
 The following figure shows a repeater boosting a weakened
signal. A repeater is better than a connector or a longer piece of
cable because it allows a signal to travel farther and still be
correctly received.
 Bus Topology
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Advantages of Bus Topology

 Use of cable is economical.

 Media is inexpensive and easy to work with.

 System is simple and reliable.

 Bus is easy to extend.

 Doesn't require a hub

Disadvantages of Bus Topology

 Network can slow down in heavy traffic.

 Problems are difficult to isolate.

 Cable break can affect many users.

 Increasing the number of computer will slow down the

performance of the network
 Less fault tolerant
 Star Topology
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 Star Topology
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What is Star Topology?

 In the star topology, cable segments from each computer are
connected to a centralized component called a hub.
 The HUB offers a common connection for all stations on the
network. Each station has its own direct cable connection to the
hub. In most cases, this means more cable is required than for a
bus topology. However, this makes adding or moving computers
a relatively easy task; simply plug them into a cable outlet on
the wall.
 Star Topology
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Continued…
 If a cable is cut, it only affects the computer that was
attached to it. This eliminates the single point of failure
problem associated with the bus topology. (Unless, of
course, the hub itself goes down.)
 Star topologies are normally implemented using twisted
pair cable, specifically unshielded twisted pair (UTP).
The star topology is probably the most common form of
network topology currently in use.
 Network Topology
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Advantages of a Star Topology

 Easy to install and wire.

 No disruptions to the network when connecting or removing

devices.
 Easy to detect faults and to remove parts.

Disadvantages of a Star Topology

 Requires more cable length than a Bus topology.

 If the hub, switch, or concentrator fails, nodes attached are

disabled.
 More expensive than linear bus topologies because of the
cost of the hubs, etc.
 Ring Topology
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 Ring Topology
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What is Ring Topology ?

 The ring topology connects computers on a single circle of
cable.
 Data travels in the ring in a circular fashion from one
computer to another, forming a logical ring.
 Unlike the bus topology, there are no terminated ends; the
signal travels around the circle in a clockwise (or anticlockwise)
direction.
 The signals travel around the loop in one direction and pass
through each computer, which can act as a repeater to boost the
signal and send it on to the next computer. This made ring
topology to be called active topology.
 Ring Topology
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Continued…
 Note that while this topology functions logically as ring, it
is physically wired as a star.
 The central connector is not called a hub but a Multistation
Access Unit or MAU.
 Rings are normally implemented using twisted pair or
fiber-optic cable.
 Ring Topology
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Communication on the Ring Topology

 Under the ring concept, a signal is transferred sequentially via
a "token" from one station to the next.
 When a station wants to transmit, it "grabs" the token, attaches
data and an address to it, and then sends it around the ring.
The token travels along the ring until it reaches the destination
address.
 The receiving computer acknowledges receipt with a return
message to the sender. The sender then releases the token for
use by another computer.
 Each station on the ring has equal access but only one station
can talk at a time.
 Ring Topology
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Advantages of Ring Topology

 This type of network topology is very organized.
Each node gets to send the data when it receives
an empty token. This helps to reduces chances of
collision. Also in ring topology all the traffic flows
in only one direction at very high speed.
 Growth of system has minimal impact on performance

 All stations have equal access.

 Additional components do not affect the performance

of network.
 Ring Topology
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Disadvantages of Ring Topology

 Each packet of data must pass through all the computers
between source and destination. This makes it slower than Star
topology.
 If one workstation or port goes down, the entire network gets
affected.
 Network is highly dependent on the wire which connects
different components.
 MAU’s and network cards are expensive as compared to
Ethernet cards and hubs.
 Mesh Topology
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Mesh Topology
 Mesh Topology
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What is Mesh Topology?

 A mesh topology network offers superior redundancy and
reliability.
 In a mesh topology, each computer is connected to every other
computer by separate cabling.
 This configuration provides redundant paths throughout the network
so that if one cable fails, another will take over the traffic.
 While ease of troubleshooting and increased reliability are definite
pluses, these networks are expensive to install because they use a
lot of cabling.
 You can calculate the number of cables used in mesh
topology using the following formula:
 No of Cable= n (n-1)/2, where n is no of computer
used in mesh topology.
 Mesh Topology
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Advantages of Mesh topology

 Data can be transmitted from different devices
simultaneously.
 This topology can withstand high traffic.
 Even if one of the components fails there is always an
alternative present. So data transfer doesn’t get affected.
 Expansion and modification in topology can be done
without disrupting other nodes.
 Mesh Topology
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Disadvantages of Mesh topology

 There are high chances of redundancy in many of the
network connections.
 Overall cost of this network is way too high as compared
to other network topologies.
 Set-up and maintenance of this topology is very difficult.
Even administration of the network is very complex.
 Hybrid Topology
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Hybrid Topology
 It is combination of any two or
more network topologies.
 These instances can occur where
two basic network topologies,
when connected together, can still
retain the basic network
character, and therefore not be a
hybrid network.
 Star-Bus
 Star-Ring
 Hybrid Topology
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Star Bus
 The star bus is a combination of
the bus and star topologies.
 In a star-bus topology, several
star topology networks are linked
together with linear bus trunks.
 If one computer goes down, it will
not affect the rest of the network.
The other computers can continue
to communicate. If a hub goes
down, all computers on that hub
are unable to communicate. If a
hub is linked to other hubs, those
connections will be broken as
well.
 Hybrid Topology
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Star Ring
 The star ring (sometimes
called a star-wired ring)
appears similar to the star
bus. Both the star ring and
the star bus are centered in
a hub that contains the
actual ring or bus.
 Linear-bus trunks connect the
hubs in a star bus, while the
hubs in a star ring are
connected in a star pattern
by the main hub.
 Choosing network topology
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 A network's topology affects its capabilities.

 The choice of one topology over another will have
an impact on the:
 Typeof equipment the network needs.
 Capabilities of the equipment.

 Growth of the network.

 Way the network is managed.

 Summary on Network Topologies
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 The physical layout of computers on a network is called a topology.

 There are four primary topologies: star, bus, ring, and mesh.
 Topologies can be physical (actual wiring) or logical (the way they
work).
 In a bus topology, the computers are connected in a linear fashion on a
single cable.
 Bus topologies require a terminator on each end of the cable.
 In a star topology, the computers are connected to a centralized hub.
 Mesh topologies connect all computers in a network to one another with
separate cables.
 In a token-ring topology, the computers are connected physically in a
star shape, but logically in a ring or circle. The data is passed from one
computer to another around the circle.
 Hubs are used to centralize the data traffic and localize failures. If one
cable breaks, it will not shut down the entire network.
 Summary on Network Topologies
Topology Advantages Disadvantages
Use of cable is economical. Network can slow down in
Bus
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Media is inexpensive and easy to work with. heavy traffic. Problems are
System is simple and reliable. difficult to isolate.
Bus is easy to extend. Cable break can affect
many users.
System provides equal access for all Failure of one computer can
Ring computers. Performance is even despite many impact the rest of the network.
users. Problems are hard to isolate.
Network reconfiguration
disrupts operation.
Modifying system and adding new If the centralized point fails,
Star computers is easy. Centralized monitoring and the network fails.
management are possible.
Failure of one computer does not affect the
rest of the network.
System provides increased redundancy and System is expensive to install
Mesh reliability as well as ease of troubleshooting. because it uses a lot of
cabling.
 Internetworking Devices
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Internetworking Devices and their symbol

Repeater Hub

Switch

Bridge Router
 Internetworking Devices
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Why Interconnect?
 To separate / connect one corporate division
with another.
 To connect two LANs with different protocols.
 To connect a LAN to the Internet.
 To provide a security wall between two different
types of users.
 To connect WLAN to LAN
 Repeater
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 Repeaters amplify a weak signal so that the signal stays as

strong as the original one.
 Used when a network’s cabling extends beyond its capability.
 Hub
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 A hub interconnects two or more workstations into a

local area network.

The Cloud
 Hub
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 When a workstation transmits to a hub, the hub

immediately resends the data frame to all connecting
links. This will increase network traffic.
 To overcome this drawback of hubs, Switches were
introduced.
 Hubs expand one Ethernet connection into many. For
example, a four-port hub connects up to four machines
 Simply a multi-port repeater.
 Types of Hub
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 Passive Hub
 Passive hubs used in a LAN environment; special form of repeater
that allow multiple devices to be wired into a central location and
share the same media; do not regenerate (repeat) the signal
 Active Hub
 An Ethernet hub, active hub, network hub, repeater hub, multiport
repeater or hub is a device for connecting multiple Ethernet
devices together and making them act as a single network
segment. ...
 A central connecting device in a network that regenerates signals
on the output side to keep the signal strong. Also called a
"multiport repeater.
 And it is more intelligent than passive Hub
 HUB
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 Hubs inexpensive devices. However, hubs can

considerably increase network traffic because they
broad cost data to the device connected on all the
ports resulting in increase network traffic.
 To overcome this drawback of hubs, Switches were
introduced.