Types of Network Topology | Top 6 Types of Topology with their Benefits

2 tier architecture

2 Tier Architecture is also called Two-Layerd Hierachical Model or Collapsed Core Model. This architecture is used by small enterprises that can not use 3 Tier architecture. Because, 3 Tier Architecture is a good solution but also an expensive solution. Small enterprises overcome this by combining core and distribution layer into one layer.

There are two layers in this architecture. These are :

• Collapsed Core Layer
• Access Layer

3 tier architecture

3 Tier Architecture is also called Three-Layered Hierachical Model used by large enterprises. This architecture is a scalable and resilient solution for large enterprises. 3 Tier Architecture consist of three layers. These layers are :

The logical view of a typical 3 Tier Architecture is showed below.

Each of these layers has a special duty in 3 Tier Architecture (Three-layered Hşerarchical Model). Now, let’s talk about each layer’s role one by one.

Access Layer

Star Topology

Star Topology is the kind of network topology in which all the nodes are connected via cables to a single node called a hub, which is the central node. The hub can be active or passive in nature. Active hubs contain repeaters, while passive hubs are considered non-intelligent nodes.

Benefits of Star Topology

• Star topology boasts fast performance due to low network traffic.
• It is easy to upgrade the Hub as and when required.
• Setup can be done easily and can be easily modified as well.
• Star Topology is easy to troubleshoot.
• In case a node has failed, it can easily be replaced without affecting the working of the rest of the network.

Drawbacks of Star Topology

• The installation cost is extreme, and it is costly to use.
• All the nodes are dependent on the hub.

Mesh Topology

Mesh topology is the kind of topology in which all the nodes are connected with all the other nodes via a network channel. Mesh topology is a point-to-point connection. It has n(n-1)/2 network channels to connect n nodes.

Mesh topology has two techniques for transmission of data, i.e. routing and flooding. In the routing technique, the nodes possess a routing logic, like the logic for the shortest distance to the destination node or the logic to avoid routes with broken connections.

Benefits of Mesh Topology

• Every connection has the ability to carry its particular data load.
• Mesh Topology is very robust.
• It is easy to diagnose faults.
• Mesh Topology provides privacy and security.

Drawbacks of Mesh Topology

• Mesh Topology is challenging to install and configure.
• As all the nodes are connected with each other, cabling is costly.
• Bulk wiring is essential.

Tree Topology

Tree topology is the topology in which the nodes are connected hierarchically, with all the nodes connected to the topmost node or root node. Hence, it is also known as hierarchical topology. Tree topology has at least three levels of hierarchy.

Tree topology is applied in Wide Area Network. It is an extension of Bus topology and Star topology. It is best if the workstations are situated in groups, for easy working and managing.

Benefits of Tree Topology

• It is easy to expand the network with more nodes.
• It is easy to maintain and manage.
• It is easy to detect an error in the network.

Drawbacks of Tree Topology

• It is profoundly cabled.
• It is expensive when compared to other topologies.
• If the root node collapses, the network will also collapse.

4Components and system

Today’s electronic devices incorporate increasingly numerous and diverse functionalities.

A logical approach to reliability prediction is not to consider the system from the outset, but first and foremost in terms of its constituent components. This is contrary to the approach used in the field of RAMS, which is essentially at the systems level and considers that the failure rates of the components are known a priori.

In terms of structures, the topology of the technological device makes it possible to generate a topology of a different nature (reliability network or failure tree). This approach, which makes it possible to precisely estimate the reliability of a system, requires the use of simulation software [BAR 75].

In fact, it will be seen that it is possible, as a first approximation, to approach the question in a much more direct way, considering that all the elementary components intervene within a series topological structure comparable to the “weak link” notion.

In the case of constant elementary failure rates, this approach makes it possible to calculate an upper limit boundary for the overall failure rate through the addition of elementary rates. A more general asymptotic property has been formulated by [DRE 60].

These two levels are the subject of specific approaches, each corresponding to their very different natures.

Among the elementary components, some of them, those subject to degradation, are called “critical” and their model of generic reliability obeys a Weibull law (or if necessary any other bi- or even tri-parametric).

As for the system, its modeling is due to combinatorial aspects induced by its topological organization and, if its size is sufficient (inclusion of a large number of “non-critical” elementary components), its generic reliability model tends to an exponential law with a constant rate [DRE 60].

These distinctions may lead to different reliability indicators for each of these two entities.

Hybrid Topology

Hybrid Topology is basically a network topology comprising of two or more different types of topologies. It is a reliable and scalable topology, but simultaneously, it is a costly one. It receives the merits and demerits of the topologies used to build it.

Benefits of Hybrid Topology

• It is easy to troubleshoot and provides simple error-detecting techniques.
• It is a flexible network topology, making it quite effective.
• It is scalable since the size can be made greater easily.

Drawbacks of Hybrid Topology

• It isn’t very easy to design it.
• It is costly, as it involves more than one topologies.

Advantages

• Failure of one node will not affect the entire network.
• Devices can be added, removed, reconfigured, or modified without disturbing the network.
• Less cabling is needed to configure star topology.
• Easy to set up and modify.
• Easy to troubleshoot.

Bus topology

In case of Bus topology, all devices share single communication line or cable.Bus topology may have problem while multiple hosts sending data at the same time. Therefore, Bus topology either uses CSMA/CD technology or recognizes one host as Bus Master to solve the issue.

Daisy chain

This topology connects all the hosts in a linear fashion. Similar to Ring topology, all hosts are connected to two hosts only, except the end hosts.Means, if the end hosts in daisy chain are connected then it represents Ring topology.

Each link in daisy chain topology represents single point of failure. Every link failure splits the network into two segments.Every intermediate host works as relay for its immediate hosts.

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Small office / home office (soho) architecture

SOHO is the abbreviation of Small Office / Home Office Architectures. This architecture is the simplest network architectures that is mainly used in homes or in small enterprises as its names implies.

Types of network topology

Let us look at the type of Network Topologies available.

What are the types of network topology? what are the advantages and disadvantages?

What is network topology?

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