Different Types of Network Topology's.
CIS/319 Computer Information Systems Processing.
Now being the 21st century, computers are being used in just about any type of business you can think of. Even if it's from one computer to a hundred, computers are used because they are fast, dependable, and can hold large amounts of data. A company that uses computers will usually want to set up some kind of network. There are two major types of network operating system, a peer to peer network and a client server network. In short a peer to peer is usually a small network with 10 or less users, while a client server has more then 10. There network operating systems can be set up in several ways which is called a topology. A topology is a network that refers to the configuration of cables, computers, and other peripherals. Physical topology should not be confused with logical topology which is the method used to pass information between workstations (Unknown 1). There are four main types of physical topologies which are: linear bus, star, stir-wired ring. .
The first one called a linear bus topology consists of a main run of cable with a terminator at each end. All nodes (file server, workstations, and peripherals) and connected to the linear cable. Ethernet and LocalTalk networks use a linear bus topology (Unknown 1). Some of the advantages of a linear bus is it's easy to connect a computer to a peripheral, and requires less cable length than a star topology. Several of the disadvantages are the entire network shuts down if there is a break in the main cable, and terminators are required at both ends of the backbone cable. It is also difficult to identify the problem if the entire network shuts down, and it's not meant to be as a stand-alone solution in a large building (Unknown 1). .
The second topology is called a star topology and is designed with each node connected directly to a central network hub or concentrator (Unknown 2).
