Explain the working of different network topologies
Answers
Network topology is the arrangement of the elements of a communication network. Network topology can be used to define or describe the arrangement of various types of telecommunication networks, including command and control radio networks, industrial field buses and computer networks.
There are five types of topology in computer networks:
Mesh Topology.
Mesh topology is a type of networking where all nodes cooperate to distribute data among each other. This topology was originally developed 30+ years ago for military applications, but today, they are typically used for things like home automation, smart HVAC control, and smart buildings.
Star Topology.
A star topology is a topology for a Local Area Network (LAN) in which all nodes are individually connected to a central connection point, like a hub or a switch. A star takes more cable than e.g. a bus, but the benefit is that if a cable fails, only one node will be brought down.
Bus Topology.
A bus topology is a topology for a Local Area Network (LAN) in which all the nodes are connected to a single cable. The cable to which the nodes connect is called a "backbone". If the backbone is broken, the entire segment fails.
Ring Topology.
A ring topology is a network configuration in which device connections create a circular data path. Each networked device is connected to two others, like points on a circle. Together, devices in a ring topology are referred to as a ring network.
Hybrid Topology.
A hybrid topology uses a combination of two or more topologies. Hybrid networks provide a lot of flexibility, and as a result, they have become the most widely used type of topology. Common examples are star ring networks and star bus networks. Tree topology is one specific example of a star bus network.
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