Network Topology refers to the
layout or structure of the network in relation with the flow of data.
Linear Bus Topology
Linear
Bus Topology uses one long cable referred to as a backbone to which computers
and other devices are attached a terminator is placed at each end of the
backbone to keep the signals from bouncing back and being received again by the
nodes in the network.
Star Topology
Star
Topology uses a central device called a hub with cables extending in all
directions. Each networked device is connected directly to the hub. Data from a
computer pass through the hub or switch before it can reach the other target
node.
Ring Topology
Ring
Topology is a network configuration in
which device connections create a circular data path. Each networked device is connected to two
others, like points on a circle. Together, devices in a ring topology are
referred to as a ring network. In a ring network, packets of data travel from one device to the next until
they reach their destination. Most ring topologies allow packets to travel only
in one direction, called a unidirectional ring network. Others
permit data to move in either direction, called bidirectional.
Mesh Topology
Mesh Topology is a network setup where each computer and
network device is interconnected with one another, allowing for most
transmissions to be distributed, even if one of the connections go down. It is
a topology commonly used for wireless networks. Below is a visual example of a simple computer setup
on a network using a mesh topology. Mesh
networks operate in two ways: by either routing the
data or flooding the data. When you’re routing a message in a mesh network, it propagates
along a predefined path, hopping from node to node until it reaches its
destination. In order to establish these routes and ensure that the paths are
available, the network needs to be continuously connected and configuring
itself. In other words, it has to constantly work to find broken paths and
create self-healing algorithms to build route tables. Because there’s a lot of
layer two (MAC) traffic flowing on the network to establish this route, mesh
networks can be less efficient than star networks (which we’ll cover in a
moment).
Hybrid Topology
A hybrid topology is a type of
network topology that uses two or more differing network topologies.
These topologies include a mix of bus topology,mesh topology, ring topology, star topology,
andtree topology.
https://www.link-labs.com/blog/what-is-mesh-topology
https://www.computerhope.com/jargon/m/mesh.htm
https://www.computerhope.com/jargon/r/ringtopo.htm
https://www.computerhope.com/jargon/h/hybrtopo.htm
