The seven common types of network topologies are: Point-to-Point, Bus, Star, Ring, Mesh, Tree, and Hybrid.
Here's a breakdown of each:
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Point-to-Point Topology: The simplest topology, directly connecting two devices with a single link. This is often used for connecting a computer to a modem or a printer.
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Bus Topology: A single cable (the bus) connects all devices. Data is transmitted along the bus, and any device can receive it. This topology is relatively inexpensive to implement but can be vulnerable to disruptions if the main cable fails.
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Star Topology: All devices connect to a central hub or switch. Data is routed through the central device to its destination. Star topologies are easy to manage and troubleshoot. If one device fails, it doesn't affect the rest of the network, however, if the central hub or switch fails, the entire network goes down.
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Ring Topology: Devices are connected in a circular fashion, with data traveling in one direction around the ring. Each device acts as a repeater, forwarding the data to the next device. Ring topologies can be reliable but are complex to implement and troubleshoot. A failure of any node on the ring will disrupt the whole network.
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Mesh Topology: Every device is connected to every other device in the network. This provides high redundancy and reliability, as there are multiple paths for data to travel. However, mesh topologies are expensive and complex to implement, especially in large networks.
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Tree Topology: A combination of bus and star topologies. It features a hierarchical structure with a root node connected to multiple levels of branch nodes. This topology is often used in large organizations with different departments.
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Hybrid Topology: A combination of two or more different topologies. This allows for customization and optimization of network performance and reliability. For instance, a company might use a star topology for the main office and a mesh topology for critical servers.
In summary, each network topology offers different advantages and disadvantages in terms of cost, reliability, scalability, and complexity. The choice of topology depends on the specific requirements and constraints of the network.
