Results 1 to 7 of 7

Thread: mini-tutorial on network topologies

  1. #1
    Senior Member cwk9's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2002
    Posts
    1,207

    Post mini-tutorial on network topologies

    A small mini-tutorial/intro on network topologies by cwk9.

    -I’m doing this from memory so feel free to correct me if you see any mistakes.
    -Excuse my crappy m$ paint diagrams.
    -Keep in mind that network topologies aren’t necessarily related to computer networks.
    -Network topology is one of those vague general subjects that can very greatly depending to were/who you learned it from.

    What the hell are network topologies?
    Network topologies are basically how a network is laid out. There are two different sections of topologies physical topologies and logical topologies. The physical topologies are how the computers are wired. Were as the logical topologies are how the data flows around the net work. A network might have one type of physical topology and a completely different type of logical topology. Example1: 10BaseT uses an extended-star physical topology, but has a logical bus topology. Example2: FDDI uses a physical ring and a logical ring.

    Why should I give a f**k?
    1. Different topologies have different advantages and disadvantages.
    2. Can help determine where collision domains occur
    3. When some one says “were going to wire the network in a extend star” you will know what the heck there talking about.

    NETWORK TOPOLOGIES

    1. Linear Bus Network topology (also known as a trouble shooting nightmare)
    Every computer is connected wire.
    Advantage: All the host computers can communicate directly.
    Disadvantage: Break in the cable will disconnect host from each other.
    Disadvantage: Biggie security risk. All computers can see all the signals to from all other devices.

    2. Star Network Topology
    Everything connects of a central point. The central point usually being a hub, server, switch …..ect
    Disadvantage: When the central point goes so does your network. But at least you’ll know were the problem is.
    Advantage: Great for security because everything goes through the central point.
    Disadvantage: Depending on the network and the devices used collisions could be a problem.
    Advantage: Easy to setup. Just jack everything in to the central point.
    Advantage: Keep wiring to a minimal.

    3. Extended Star Topology
    Each of the branches of the central star act as there own star. Advantages and disadvantages are the same as above.

    4. Tree Network Topology
    Think of a family tree. The tree topology is like a bus topology with branches with multiple nodes on them. The flow of information is hierarchical.

    5. Irregular Network Topology
    This is just a nice way of saying your network sucks and you have no idea what the hell you’re doing. Can be any network that has no obvious pattern and crappy wiring. These are often planned on a napkin.
    Disadvantage: You network will suck if it even works in the first place.

    6. Cellular Network Topology (wireless)
    The network is built without using wires. You have two choices here electromagnetic waves: radio, microwave, X-rays, Gamma-rays (only produced by nuclear explosions and the sun but hey it’s your network) …ect or some form of arcane magic. Basically your network will consist of what ever is in range at any given time. Most of the time cellular topologies are connected to other topologies.
    Advantage: free roaming
    Advantage: no wires
    Advantage: cellular network topology just sounds cool
    Disadvantage: range
    Disadvantage: Your just throwing crap out there so any idiot with a laptop and a Pringles can could pick up stuff from your network.

    7. Mesh (complete network topology)
    Everything on the network is connected to everything else and there are multiple paths to every host. This is how the internet works.
    Advantage: network will work as long as there is two or more host and a path between them.
    Disadvantage: The amount if wire needed quickly becomes mind boggling.
    Disadvantage: Carving information on stone is more cost effective.

    8. Ring Network Topology
    Just like it sounds, host are connected in a ring. Kind of like a daisy-chain that’s looped. Information travels in a circle and the host picks off the information it needs. Used in token ring and FDDI networks.
    Advantage: Use of a token can allow for equally shared bandwidth.
    Disadvantage: If the ring breaks you get to have the joy if finding out were it broke

    9. Dual Ring Network Topology
    Just like a ring network only it uses two rings for more fault tolerance.
    Advantage: More fault tolerance
    Disadvantage: Now you have two rings to worry about.

  2. #2
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2001
    Posts
    310
    Great tute mate!
    script language=\"M$cript\";
    function beginError(bsod) {
    return true; }
    onLoad.windows = beginError;

  3. #3
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2001
    Posts
    1,027

    Thumbs up

    5. Irregular Network Topology
    This is just a nice way of saying your network sucks and you have no idea what the hell you’re doing. Can be any network that has no obvious pattern and crappy wiring. These are often planned on a napkin.
    Disadvantage: You network will suck if it even works in the first place.
    Hahaha! good one! School where I work still has an Irregulare Network Topology! I'm in the process of changing that though!

    One thing though, in your definitions, I don't really see the difference between extended star and tree? To me the only difference is how you draw it on your network map!

    Ammo

  4. #4
    Senior Member cwk9's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2002
    Posts
    1,207
    The tree topology is similar to the extended star topology. The difference is that the tree does not use one central node.
    Its not software piracy. I’m just making multiple off site backups.

  5. #5
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2001
    Posts
    1,027
    Well, I don't see how you can *not* have a central node... I mean, you gotta have something to link those branches to the trunk (a hub or switch...) which would be a central node to me. This is probably just an interpretetion difference though...

    Ammo
    Credit travels up, blame travels down -- The Boss

  6. #6
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    May 2002
    Posts
    10
    nice post dude now i know all the other types of topologies shame on me but i only knew star, linear bus and ring now i have all the other types to research on
    fine line gets more and more finer

  7. #7
    Senior Member cwk9's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2002
    Posts
    1,207
    ammo the tree topology is made up of bus topologies while the extended star is made up of star topologies.

    So I guess you could call the tree topology a extended bus topology.
    Its not software piracy. I’m just making multiple off site backups.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •