What is Network Topology and Its Types

Network TopoLogy

Network Topology is a proper arrangement of the networks where the nodes help all devices to communicate with each other via networks in a proper manner. It is known as “Network Topology”

Types of Network Topology

If we talk about the types of network topology then basically it has mainly two types:

  • Physical Topology
  • Logical Topology

Physical Topology

Physical topology is a topology where it describes how all devices are connected to the network, the connection between the devices and the network can be done with the help of physical devices like normal wire cables, hubs, etc is known as “physical topology” or In short, we can say that it is a physical arrangement of devices over the network.

Logical Topology

This topology describes how the data are flowing over the network from one device to another device. The flow of data from one device to another is to be done via several network elements like nodes, links, etc. It is dependent on physical topology where it can transmit the data via nodes. In short, we can say that the transmission of data over the physical topology is known as “Logical Topology”

Different Types of Topologies are:

  • P2P Topology
  • Bus Topology
  • Star Topology
  • Tree Topology
  • Mesh Topology
  • Ring Topology
  • Dual Ring Topology
  • Hybrid Topology

1) P2P Topology

P2P is a “Point to Point” topology or “Peer to Peer” topology. It is the simplest & easiest topology of all the network topologies. In this topology, it provides a dedicated link between the two ends or we can say between the two devices, it is known as “P2P topology”.

2) Bus Topology

In Bus Topology, all the devices are connected to the network in a single wire/cable. It is also known as “Horizontal or Backbone Topology” because the flow of data transmission over the network with devices is in a single backbone cable.

3) Star topology

In Star Topology all the devices over the network are connected with a single hub, single switches, or single router via cables. In a hub or switch, every node is connected with a central node. It is known as “Star Topology”.

Star Topology

4) Tree Topology

Tree Topology is also known as “Hierarchical Topology” because all the devices within the network are connected hierarchically, which means all the devices are arranged in the branches of the tree where all the nodes of the network are connected with the devices. In simple words, it is a combination of bus and star topology known as “Tree Topology”.

5) Mesh Topology

In Mesh Topology the connection is like a P2P where all devices are connected in each channel or we can say that all the nodes of a network are connected with each one of the devices separately/particular channel. It is known as “Mesh Topology”.

There are two types of mesh topology:

  1. Full Mesh Topology
  2. Partial Mesh Topology

6) Ring Topology

In-Ring Topology all devices are connected with the network in a circular form or we can say loop form. It is used for LAN and WAN networks where every device exactly has two neighbors to communicate. This is known as “Ring Topology”.

7) Double Ring Topology

Double Ring topology is exactly a ring topology but in this topology, there is two cables where all the devices are connected in a circular form which is known as “Double Ring Topology”

8) Hybrid Topology

Hybrid Topology is a combination of Bus, Star, Tree, and Ring Topology known as “Hybrid Topology”. When two or more topologies are connected together and make connections with the different links and nodes in a network.

Leave a Comment