Hardware and network technologies - CCEANetwork topologies

There are different ways of setting up a Local Area Network (LAN) and each of these have different benefits in terms of network speed and cost. Three network topologies are bus, star and ring.

Bus network

In a bus network all the computers, servers and printers are joined to one cable – 'the bus'. At each end of the cable a terminator is fitted to stop signals reflecting back down the bus.

Advantages:

• Very easy to install
• Cheap to install – requires very little cabling in comparison to other topologies

Disadvantages:

• If the main cable fails or gets damaged, the whole network will fail
• As more workstations are connected, the performance of the network becomes slower

Ring network

In a ring network, each device (computer, server or printer) is connected in a ring, so each is connected to two others. Each data packet on the network travels in one direction. Each device receives each packet in turn until the packet reaches its destination.

Advantages:

• A ring network can transfer data quickly (even if there are many devices connected) as data only flows in one direction, so there won't be any data collisions

Disadvantages:

• If the main cable fails or any device is faulty, then the whole network will fail

Star network

In a star network, each device on the network has its own cable that connects to a switch or hub. This is the most popular way of setting up a LAN. You may find a star network in a small network of five or six computers where speed is a priority.

Advantages:

• Very reliable – if one cable or device fails, all the others will continue to work
• Rarely slows down as no data collisions can occur

Disadvantages:

• Expensive to install as this type of network uses the most cable
• Extra hardware is required (hubs or switches). These also add to the cost
• If a hub or switch fails, all the devices connected to it will have no network connection