Networking tutorial for beginer and advanced user

As its name says all about it, it’s a tree like structure with one main stem/backbone cable with multiple branches and on every branch there could be multiple node or branches could be there on branch. If we talk about its structure and topology then we can say it’s a mixture of bus and star topology.

Similar to bus topology from one backbone cable many other cable goes out as branches and in these branched cable switch or hub get connected similar to star topology.

Tree topology is very useful for network like colleges, universities, school and  any similar place like it where network is spread in different departments and each department has one own network but its connected with main network as well.

Tree Toplogy

It’s only applicable and recommended in big network where network is scattered in multiple branches.

Benefits of tree topology

1)      It’s supported by many of hardware and network vendor.

2)      It’s possible to connect two node point to point.

3)      All computer have their own network as well as the main network

4)      It doesn’t affect entire network if one branch goes failed

5)      Best topology for branched network where multiple different zones are there.

Drawback of tree topology

1)      Maximum Length of the network is dependent on type of cable that is in use.

2)      If main backbone fails it will take entire network down.

3)      As it’s a big network it gets difficult to maintain and create network.

Mesh Topology

As its name says mesh its really messy and very difficult to understand. In Mesh topology each node is connected with all other nodes doesn’t matter how many nodes are there. This topology is not command in LAN in fact I have never seen this in LAN.

Mesh topology is mostly used for connecting WAN network to LAN’s. Mostly ISP companies use it.In Mesh topology each node is connected with every other node so there is no chance of disconnection. It allow to communicate continuously even if anyone or 2 connection goes down.

On theoretical concept its 100 % “fault tolerant”.

Mesh Topology

 As its name says its graphical diagram will look like a star or starfish. In this topology there is a centralised switch/hub and node connects with central switch similar to branch or hands of star fish. If a branch or hand goes damaged it doesn’t affect starfish health it will grow again in some time, similarly in star topology if a node goes down it won’t affect entire network.

In star Topology Centre point is Hub/Switch. Each node/device connects with hub/switch using a segment (a short or long distance network cable). Each node/device needs its own network cable for connecting to switch or hub. It’s easy to maintain and expand network in star topology comparison to other topologies.

Star Topology

Benefits of Star Topology

1)      Easy to add devices when need to expand network because we just need to add extra device or node without affecting other nodes.

2)      One Cable Failover does not make entire network down.

3)      Easy to find device and cables in and faulty condition.

4)      Can be upgraded to faster speed with minimum effort.

Drawback of star topology

1)      Star network require more cable then ring or bus topology network.

2)      Failure of the central hub can bring entire network down.

3)      Cost is higher (installation and equipment) comparison to bus or ring network.

4)      Bottleneck may occur if network switch is low capacity and high load comes in network.

Presently all network running in LAN are using this topology only.