1. Star Topology
- Structure: Central node (hub or switch) connects all devices.
- Advantages:
- Easy to set up and manage.
- Fault isolation (failure in one device doesn’t affect others).
- Disadvantages:
- If the central hub fails, the entire network goes down.
- Requires more cables.
- Examples: Home or small office networks.
2. Bus Topology
- Structure: Single central cable (backbone) connects all devices.
- Advantages:
- Easy and cost-effective for small networks.
- Fewer cables required.
- Disadvantages:
- Collision of data can occur on the main cable.
- Difficult to troubleshoot.
- Failure of the backbone disrupts the entire network.
- Examples: Early LAN setups.
3. Ring Topology
- Structure: Devices are connected in a circular loop, with each device connected to two neighbors.
- Advantages:
- Equal access to resources (token-passing prevents collisions).
- Performs well under low traffic.
- Disadvantages:
- If one device fails, the entire network may fail (can be mitigated by dual rings).
- Adding/removing devices disrupts the network.
- Examples: Token Ring networks (obsolete now).
4. Mesh Topology
- Structure: Every device is connected to every other device.
- Advantages:
- High fault tolerance (multiple paths for data).
- Reliable and secure.
- Disadvantages:
- Expensive due to the large number of cables and ports.
- Complex setup and maintenance.
- Examples: WANs like the Internet.
5. Hybrid Topology
- Structure: Combines two or more topologies (e.g., star-bus, star-ring).
- Advantages:
- Flexible and scalable.
- Can leverage the strengths of individual topologies.
- Disadvantages:
- Complex design and higher costs.
- Examples: Large enterprise networks.
Key Comparison Table
| Topology | Fault Tolerance | Cost | Use Cases |
|---|---|---|---|
| Star | Low (hub failure) | Moderate | Small office/home networks |
| Bus | None (backbone) | Low | Temporary setups, small networks |
| Ring | Moderate (token) | Moderate | Limited to legacy systems |
| Mesh | High | High | Large, secure, and reliable WANs |
| Hybrid | Depends on mix | High | Scalable enterprise networks |