LAN Topology or Network Topology - Bus - Ring - Star

Network topology (LAN topology)The arrangement or connection pattern of computers or nodes and other devices of the network is called network topology.

The three basic topologies are:Bus Topology

Ring Topology

Star Topology

Bus topologyThe network topology in which computers and other devices are arranged in linear format which uses a common backbone or wire to connect all the computers and devices is called bus topology.

The advantages of bus topology are:

It is easy to set up computers and other devices in bus topology, because all the devices are connected through a single wire.

It requires fewer cable media, so it is cheaper than other topologies.

It is easy to add new node to the network.

The disadvantages of disadvantages are:

The whole network system collapses if the cable or backbone is damaged.

The network slows down if additional computers are connected.

The limited length of the cable in a network may restrict to connect the workstation or devices.

Ring topology (Loop topology)

The network topology in which computers are connected in the shape of a circle without any end points is called ring topology. Each workstations contains two neighbours for communication or an input and output connections.

Advantages of ring topology are:

It is easy to set up and reconfigure.

Each computer gets equal opportunity to access the network resources.

Disadvantages of ring topology are:

Failure of any cable or single computer may affect the entire network.

It is difficult to detect the errors in this type of network.

Adding or removing the devices affects the entire network.

Star topology

The network topology in which all computers or other devices are connected through a central device called hub or switch is called star topology.

The advantages of star topology are :It is easy to detect errors in star topology.

It is set up and configure.

Failure of a single computer or cable does not affect the entire network.

The disadvantages of star topology are: It requires more cable in comparison of bus topology so it is costlier.
Failure of central devices (hub or switch) break down the whole system.