Network topology's advantages and disadvantages

Network topology

1. Local area network
2. Wide area network
3. Metropolition area network

Local area network

A local area network is a data communication systemconsisting of several devices such as computer and computer and printers. This type of network contains computer that are relatively near each other and are physically connected using cables, infrared links, or wireless media. A lan can consists of just two or three PCs connected together to share resources. A LAN is a computer network converting a small geographic area, like a home, office, or group of buildings. LAN has four main topologies including:star network, ring network, bus network, and mesh network.

Star network

star network are one of the most common computer network topologies. In its simplest form, a star network consists of one central switch, hub or computer.

Advantages

• Performance:each node has a seperate induvidual link to the server so this eliminates the network traffic as a result increase the performance of the network.
• Expansion:the network can be expanded to any amount because installation of extra nodes is possible this activity will not do any harm to the other nodes that are already connected.
• Isolation:As each PC or node is isolate and has induvidual cables to the servers if one node breaks down the other nodes will not have an effect.

Disadvantages

• Dependancy:even though individual connections are given to each node each node is connected to the hub or the server, so that if the server breaks down the entire network fails

Ring network

A ring network is a network topology in which each node connects to exactly two other nodes, forming a circular pathway for signals: a ring. Data travels from node to node, with each node handling every packet.

• Very orderly network where every devices has access to the token a transmit.
• performs better than a star topology under heavy network load.
• can create much larger network using token ring
• Does not require network server to manage the connectivity between the computers.

Disadvantages

• Malfunction of one node may cause destruction to the other nodes in the network.
• moves, adds and changes of devices can affect the network.
• Network adapter cards are much more expensive than ethernet cards and hubs.
• Much slower than a ethernet network under normal load.

Bus network

A bus network topology is a  network architecture in which a set of clients are connected via a shared communication line,called a bus. There are several common instances of the bus architecture, including one in the motherboard of most computers.

Advantages

• Easy to implement and extend.
• Requires less cable length than a star topology
• well suited for temporary or small networks not requiring high speed.
• cheaper than other topologies.

Disadvantages

• Limited cable length and number of station.
• if there is a problem with the cable, the entire network goes down.
• maintanance cost may be higher in the long run.
• performance degrades as additional computers are added or on heavy traffic.
• proper termination is required.
• significant capasitive load.
• it works best with limited number number of nodes.
• it is slower than the other topologies

Mesh network

Mesh networking is a way to route data, voice and instructions between nodes. It allows for continuous connections and recongiguration around broken or blocked paths by hopping from node to node untill the destination is reached. A mesh network whose nodes are all connected to each other is a fully connected network.

Wide area network

a wan is two or more lan connected together generally across a wide geographical area. Wan s are used to connect lans and other types of networks together, so that users and computers in one location can communicate with users and computers in other locations.

Metropolition area network

The metropolition area network is a large scale network, that connects multiple cooperate lans together. Metropolition area networks or mans are large computer networks usually spanning a city.