→ NETWORK TOPOLOGY  ←

DEFINITION 

👉  NETWORK TOPOLOGY   👈

Layout of the computers and devices in a communications network.

👉  PHYSICAL TOPOLOGY   👈

The arrangement of a cabling is the physical topology

👉   LOGICAL TOPOLOGY   👈

The path that data travels between computers on a network is the logical topology.

STAR TOPOLOGY

 DEFINITION

All the computers and other devices on the network connect to a central device thus forming star.

ADVANTAGES 

• If one device fails, only that device is affected.
• Devices can be added or removed from network with no disruption.
• Easy to troubleshoot and isolate problem.

DISADVANTAGES

• If the hub or switch fails, the entire network will be inoperabled.
• Requires more cables than most of the other topologies.
• More expensive because of the cost of hub/switch. 

BUS TOPOLOGY

DEFINITION

A bus network consists of a single central cable (backbone), to which all computers and other devices connect.

ADVANTAGES

• Inexpensive and easy to install.
• Other devices can be attached or detached without disturbing the network.
• Failure of one device usually does not affect the rest of the network.

DISADVANTAGES

• There might be disruption when computer or other devices are added or removed.
• The break in the main cable(backbone) will prevent all systems from accessing the network.
• It is difficult to identify the problem if the entire network Shut down.

RING TOPOLOGY

DEFINITION

On a ring network, a cable forms a closed loop (ring) with all computers and devices arranged along the ring.



ADVANTAGES

• Transmission of data is simple as packets travel in one direction only.
• Cabel faults are easily located, making troubleshooting easier.
• All devices in ring topolgy share the network resources fairly

DISADVANTAGES

• A failure in any cable 
• or device breaks the 
• loop and can take 
• down entire 
• network.
• Data packets must pass through every computer, thus make it slower.
• More difficult to install than a bus network.