Week 6

Overview of network topologies - Basic topologies- bus, ring, star, mesh and hybrid.
Overview of network topologies: basic topologies
Network topology describes the physical or logical arrangement of connected devices in a
computer network. Here are the basic types of topologies and their key features, advantages, and
disadvantages:
1. Bus topology
 Description: All devices connect to a single central cable, or "bus", serving as the network
backbone. Data is transmitted along the bus, and devices selectively receive the data
intended for them.
 Advantages:
o Simple to set up and manage.
o Cost-effective, requiring minimal cable and hardware.
 Disadvantages:
o Susceptible to single point of failure if the central cable breaks.
 o Performance degrades with increasing number of devices, limiting scalability.
o Security concerns due to shared communication line.
o

2. Ring topology
 Description: Devices are arranged in a closed loop, where each device connects to exactly
two neighbors. Data travels in one direction around the ring.
 Advantages:
o Efficient for handling high data loads due to dedicated time slots for transmission.
o Less prone to data collisions compared to bus topology.
o Offers good fault tolerance with dual-ring configurations.
 Disadvantages:
o Single point of failure in a simple (unidirectional) ring.
o Can be challenging to install and modify.
o May experience increased latency in large networks.
3. Star topology
 Description: All devices connect to a central hub or switch. The hub acts as a central node
controlling data flow.
 Advantages:
o Easy to install and manage.
o Fault tolerance (failure in one link doesn't affect the rest).
o Scalable by adding more devices to the central hub.
 Disadvantages:
o Central device failure brings down the entire network.
o Requires more cable than a bus topology.
o Performance is dependent on the central hub's capacity.
4. Mesh topology
 Description: Each device connects directly to every other device in the network. This
creates a highly redundant, web-like structure.
 Types:
 o Full Mesh: Every node is connected to every other node.
o Partial Mesh: Some nodes are connected to all others, while some are selectively
connected.
 Advantages:
o Highly reliable and fault-tolerant due to multiple data paths.
o High-speed data exchange with dedicated links.
 Disadvantages:
o Complex and expensive to implement, especially for a full mesh.
o High cabling requirements and maintenance costs.
5. Hybrid topology
 Description: Combines two or more different topologies into a single network. This
approach leverages the strengths of each topology to optimize network performance and
meet specific needs.
 Examples:
o Star-Ring: Multiple star networks interconnected by a ring topology.
 o Star-Bus: Star networks connected through a bus backbone.
 Advantages:
o Flexible and scalable, allowing for tailored network design.
o Enhanced reliability by isolating network failures to specific segments.
o Improved performance by distributing network traffic efficiently.
 Disadvantages:
o Can be complex to design and manage.
o Potentially higher costs for specialized hardware and cabling.
o Troubleshooting can be challenging due to diverse network structures.
o

Network Simulator:

Network simulators like Cisco Packet Tracer provide virtual environments for designing,
configuring, and testing network topologies.
Installation:
 Download:
Obtain the installer for the chosen network simulator (e.g., Cisco Packet Tracer from the
Cisco Networking Academy website).
 Installation Wizard:
Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen instructions, accepting license
agreements and specifying installation paths.
User Interface:
The user interface typically comprises a workspace for building network topologies, device
selection panes, configuration windows, and simulation controls.
 Logical View: The primary workspace for drag-and-dropping devices and connecting
them.
 Physical View: Offers a visual representation of the network within a simulated
environment (e.g., cities, buildings, wiring closets).
 Device Selection: Panes or menus to choose from various network devices (routers,
switches, PCs, servers) and connection types (copper, fiber, serial).
Deploy Devices and Cables:
 Add Devices:
Drag and drop desired devices from the device selection pane onto the workspace.
 Connect Devices:
Utilize the "Connections" tool (often represented by a lightning bolt icon) to select a cable
type and click on the ports of the devices to establish connections.
GUI and CLI Configuration:
 GUI (Graphical User Interface):
Double-clicking on a device opens its configuration window, allowing for settings like IP
addresses, subnet masks, routing protocols, and interface configurations to be adjusted
through graphical menus and input fields.
 CLI (Command Line Interface):
For advanced configuration, especially on devices like routers and switches, a terminal or
CLI tab within the device's configuration window allows commands to be entered directly
to configure interfaces, routing, security, and other network parameters.
Configure End Devices:
  Access Configuration:
Click on the end device (e.g., PC, server) to open its configuration options.
 IP Configuration:
Navigate to the IP configuration section (e.g., "Desktop" tab > "IP Configuration" in
Packet Tracer).
 Assign IP Address:
Input the IPv4 address, subnet mask, and default gateway (if applicable) for the
device. This can be done through the GUI or, in some simulators, via a command-line
interface within the end device itself using commands like ipconfig.