Network Topologies The term "topology" refers to the layout of connected devices on a network. Topology in Network Design
A topology can be consider as a network's virtual shape or structure. This shape does not necessarily correspond to the actual physical layout of the devices on the network. For example, the computers on a home LAN may be arranged in a circle in a family room, but it would be unlikely to have ring topology.
Network topologies are categorized into the following basic types: 1. Bus 2. Ring 3. Star 4. Tree 5. Mesh
Bus Topology Bus networks use a single cable to connect all devices. A single cable functions as a shared communication medium that devices attached with an interface connector. A device wanting to communicate with another device on the network sends a broadcast message onto the wire that all other devices see, but only the intended recipient actually accepts and processes the message. Bus networks work best with a limited number of devices. If more than a few dozen computers are added to a network bus, performance will decrease. And if the cable fails, the entire network effectively becomes unusable.
Ring Topology In a ring network, every device has exactly two neighbors for communication purposes. All messages travel through a ring in the same direction (either "clockwise" or "counterclockwise"). A failure in any cable or device breaks the loop and can take down the entire network. Ring topologies are found in some office buildings or school campuses.
Star Topology Many home networks use the star topology. A star network features a central connection point called a "hub" that may be a hub, switch or router. Devices typically connect to the hub with Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) Ethernet. Compared to the bus topology, a star network generally requires more cable, but a failure in any star network cable will only take down one computer's network access and not the entire LAN.
Tree Topology Tree topologies integrate multiple star topologies together onto a bus. Only hub devices connect directly to the tree bus, and each hub functions as the "root" of a tree of devices. This bus/star hybrid approach supports future expandability of the network much better than a bus or a star.
Mesh Topology Mesh topologies involve the concept of routes. Unlike each of the previous topologies, messages sent on a mesh network can take any of several possible paths from source to destination. Some WANs, like the Internet, employ mesh routing.
More complex networks can be built as hybrids of two or more of the above basic topologies.
An intriguing discussion is definitely worth comment. I believe that you ought to write more about this issue, it may not be a taboo subject but generally folks don't discuss such issues. To the next! Best wishes!!
knowing about network topologies is a goo experience bu can u suggest more in details so that we cn know more about topologies