What is Topology? Different types of topology.

What is Topology?

The Arrangements of the network in such a manner that they can exchange their data and communicate with each other. There are six types of network topology. These are:- 

1. Bus Topology
2. Ring Topology
3. Star Topology
4. Mesh Topology
5. Tree Topology
6. Hybrid Topology

Bus Topology

• In a Bus topology, all the computers and network devices are connected to a single cable known as a backbone cable.
• Each Node is either connected directly to the backbone cable or through a cable that is connected to the backbone cable. 
• The installation of this topology is quite simpler than the rest of the available networks. 
• The Computer is connected in such a manner that they look like a straight line, that is why many people know it as “Line topology”. 

                                                              Example of Bus Topology

Advantages of Bus Topology

• Low-Cost Cables: - In a bus topology, you need only cables to connect with backbone cables. The cost of this cable is very low as compared to other network devices. 
• Limited Failure Points: - if one node of the network is not working well. There is no issue with the other node's network. 
• High Speed: - In Bus topology generally twisted-pair cables or coaxial cables are used in which data transfer rates are high. 
• Simple installation: - The installation of this network is so simple. You just need some equipment to join the cable with the backbone cable.  

Disadvantages of Bus topology

• Extensive Cables: - Lots of Cables are used to set up for bus topology.
• Difficult troubleshooting:- You are required to specialized equipment to detect the problems. And if the main wire (backbone cable) has a fault then all the node's connection are stop communicating. 
• Configuration Problem:- If you want to add a new device to the network it may slow the speed of the rest of the network. 

In this part, we talk about bus topology. The rest of the topology types are covered in our next tutorial. 

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