Topologies Flashcards
What is a bus topology?
Where all devices are attached to a common connection (backbone) and any communication must travel through this
What is at either ends of the backbone in a bus topology?
A server may be attached or a printer etc and at the other end is a terminator which marks the end of the network
What is a star topology?
Where all devices are connected to a single central device such as a switch or a hub which communication must go through
What might be connected to the central devices in a star topology?
Servers
Printers
Routers
What is a ring topology?
Where each device is connected to two other, for communication a device a signal often must be passed through several devices
What are the advantages of a bus topology?
Cheap as it requires minimal cabling
Easy to add / remove computers
What are the disadvantages of a bus topology?
Failure in the main cable will result in failure of the whole network
The network can be slowed by high traffic
What are the advantages of a star topology?
If one cable fails only the device attached is isolated from the network
Faults are easy to find
It’s easy to add extra devices
They system is secure because only data sent to the devices need that data
What are the disadvantages of a star topology?
Lots of cables means it’s more expensive to install
What are the advantages of ring topology?
No collisions as there is typically only one batch of data is allowed on the network at one time
Very high transmission rates are possible
What are the disadvantages of a ring topology?
Failure of a single cable / device can ring down the entire network
Data passes through other devices to its final destination so data isn’t secure
What is a topology?
The layout of a network
