Computer Network Topology | IBPS PO Prelims & Mains Preparation - Bank Exams PDF Download

Network Topology

Topology defines the structure of the network of how all the components are interconnected to each other.

There are six types of topology

• Bus Topology
• Ring Topology
• Star Topology
• Tree topology
• Mesh topology
• Hybrid Topology

1. Bus Topology

• Data network with bus topology has a linear transmission cable, usually coaxial, to which many network devices and workstations are attached along the length. 
• Server is at one end of the bus. When a workstation has to send data, it transmits packets with destination address in its header along the bus. 
• The data travels in both the directions along the bus. When the destination terminal sees the data, it copies it to the local disk.

2. Ring Topology

• In ring topology each terminal is connected to exactly two nodes, giving the network a circular shape. Data travels in only one pre-determined direction. 
• When a terminal has to send data, it transmits it to the neighboring node which transmits it to the next one. Before further transmission data may be amplified. 
• In this way, data raverses the network and reaches the destination node, which removes it from the network. If the data reaches the sender, it removes the data and resends it later.

3. Star Topology

• In star topology, server is connected to each node individually.
• Server is also called the central node.
• Any exchange of data between two nodes must take place through the server.
• It is the most popular topology for information and voice networks as central node can process data received from source node before sending it to the destination node.

4. Tree Topology

• Tree topology has a group of star networks connected to a linear bus backbone cable.
• It incorporates features of both star and bus topologies.
• Tree topology is also called hierarchical topology.

5. Mesh Topology

• Mesh technology is an arrangement of the network in which computers are interconnected with each other through various redundant connections.
• There are multiple paths from one computer to another computer.
• It does not contain the switch, hub or any central computer which acts as a central point of communication.
• The Internet is an example of the mesh topology.

6. Hybrid Topology

• The combination of various different topologies is known as Hybrid topology.
• A Hybrid topology is a connection between different links and nodes to transfer the data.
• When two or more different topologies are combined together is termed as Hybrid topology and if similar topologies are connected with each other will not result in Hybrid topology.

For example, if there exist a ring topology in one branch of ICICI bank and bus topology in another branch of ICICI bank, connecting these two topologies will result in Hybrid topology.