Network Topologies: Bus, Ring, and Star

Network Topologies: Bus, Ring, and Star

Shawn Lahne

Axia College of University of Phoenix

IT 205 Management of Information Systems

Professor Dalin Gilland

March 14, 2008

Network Topologies: Bus, Ring, and Star

One of the most important issues that need to be considered when designing or developing a system is how the system is going to be connected so the end user is able to access the information. The how is simple; with the use of a network. The next question would be; which network topology is to be used; the bus, the star, or the ring.

With the technology growing as fast as it is today, there are other network topologies available (topology: the infrastructure of a network, a basic map, or a scheme). The topology of a system is like looking at a road map to a city. You have the main hub in the middle, the city, and each computer is a suburb; so to speak.

There are five basic types, which include the three mentioned above. Then there are also hybrids that are a mixture of two or more of the five basic types. The basic categories are;

1. Bus network topology - a network designed that a shared communication line connects all computers (clients). In other words, you have one single trunk line with as many computers needed connected to this trunk line.

2. Ring network topology - a network topology where a terminal (node) is connected to two other nodes that creates a circular pathway for signals. In nonprofessional terms, the terminals are connected to each other and create a circle, closing the points of connection.

3. Star network topology - one of the most widely used networks. The star topology relies upon a central hub, or computer. With today's technology, a server is used for that central connection.

4. Mesh network topology - a way to send voice, data, and instructions between each node. The mesh network allows the system to stay connected and reconfiguration even in the event of a broken or blocked path, which then it will re-route itself so the data being sent gets to the desired destination.

5. Tree and hyper tree network topology - a star-configured topology where each terminal is connected to switches/concentrators, all of which are connected to a linear bus backbone. Each hub then sends all data transmissions from any terminal to all terminals in the system. All secondary nodes are able to communicate with each other, transmitting and receiving through the central hub.

As with anything in the world, there are advantages and disadvantages. With the bus topology some