Its Network Setup In The Bus Topology example essay topic

Table of Content Conclusions 3 Mesh, Bus, Ring and Star Topologies 4 Ethernet, Token Ring, FDDI and Wireless Technology 7 Conclusions 10 Reference List 11 Introduction The four topology's for networks are Mesh, Bus, Ring and Star. The different network topologies determine how data will be moved throughout the network. This paper will explain how each of these topologies is different and what advantages each one has over the other. This paper will also explain how the different topologies have disadvantages when implementing them. It is important that each topology be understood so that the best network configuration can be chosen by an IT professional. The second part of this paper will explain the differences in networking topologies.

Four networking technologies that will be discussed are Ethernet, Token Ring, FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface) and wireless. Each one has different configurations that set it apart from the other technologies. Also, each of the technologies has advantages depending on the needs of a network. Along with advantages comes the disadvantages, some technologies offer limited advantages when compared with others. Understanding different networking technologies is vital for anyone planning to work in the IT field. Mesh, Bus, Ring, and Star Topologies The first type of topology to be discussed is the mesh topology.

Mesh topologies involve the connection of all computers together on a network through cables. There are redundant connections to computers using this technology. Because of the numerous connections mesh has the advantage of not failing when a connection is lost on one computer. The other computers connected on the network continue to functions even though a connection was lost.

The use of mesh topologies is used by telephone exchanges and WANs where information can be passed along the different connections. The main advantage of mesh topology is the performance and security that it provides over the other topologies. While the mesh topology does offer significant performance and security it also comes with its share of disadvantages. A mesh topology involves a lot of connections so it will be expensive to setup. The price of a mesh topology might not be beneficial to someone setting up a LAN or smaller network. Along with price of mesh is the complexity of mesh when the number of computers starts to increase.

The complexity of mesh starts to increase after each computer is added. The other topologies are much easier to set up and less expensive to implement. The price and complexity are two disadvantages that need to be recognized when choosing a network topology. The second type of topology to be discussed is the bus type. The bus topology uses only one cable to connect multiple computers. Each end of the cable is terminated using a transmitter.

The advantages of a bus topology are evident in its cheap cost to setup. Since it uses only one cable, bus topology is the cheapest technology to implement of the four types. The shape of the bus topology is also different from the four. It is a straight cable with computers connected at different parts of the cable. Each computer is responsible for passing on information to the next. The problems with a bus topology are that if a computer loses connection or is faulty, the other computers cannot receive information until it is brought back online.

Along with its unreliability, bus also performs poorly when compared to the other topologies. Bus sends data along the single cable and each computer hears the data until the right computer is reached. This puts a bus topology at a major disadvantage when compared to the other topologies. A large corporation would not find it beneficial to have its network setup in the bus topology. A corporation needs efficiency and reliability that bus lacks. Problems with reliability and performance set it apart from the four topologies.

The third type of topology is the ring topology. The ring topology is very similar to a bus topology in that it uses one cable but it loops the cable around in a ring shape to connect other computers. The difference in the two is the way the ring topology loops the signal back around the cable without having it terminated at each end. Ring provides more reliability than bus because computers that are faulty can be turned off to prevent a break in the network. Since the cable is looped, a signal can be sent around the loop again without having to go backwards. The ring topology improves upon the bus topology by having increased performance and avoiding breaks in connection.

The final type of topology is the star topology. As it name would suggest its shape would look like a star. The star topology is completely different from the bus and ring topologies because the computers are connected to a hub. Each computer has a connection on the hub they use to transmit and receive data. The star topology is more expensive than the bus and ring topologies. A star topology has more cabling because the computers each have their own cable running to the hub.

Also, a hub has to be purchased to manage the flow of data. While not as expensive as a mesh topology, star ranks as the third most expensive topology. One of the advantages of a star topology is its ability to avoid faulty terminals on the network. One device on the network fails it continues to function.

Unless, the hub fails. In this case the computers and devices will be unable to send and receive data. Another advantage that a star topology has over ring and bus is the hub controls the flow of data so it doesn't have to be sent to every computer connected. The hub determines where the data will be sent when it receives the data. A final advantage of a star topology is its ability to network various other star networks together. A hub can be linked up with another hub to bring the networks together.

Overall the star topology is reliable and flexible in its functions while being more expensive than bus and ring topologies. Ethernet, Token Ring, FDDI, and Wireless Technology The previous discussion gave some information about the various types of topologies, now it is time to discuss the different technologies. Ethernet is the first technology to be discussed and is also the most widely used in today's LANs. Ethernet uses twisted wire and coaxial cable as media to transmit data at 10 Mbps, 100 Mbps (Fast Ethernet), and 1000 Mbps (Gigabit Ethernet). Ethernet has a maximum length of 100 meters per segment but can be extended by using different cabling and types of Ethernet.

Each computer connected using Ethernet must also have an Ethernet card installed to interpret signals on the network. The advantages of using Ethernet are in its ability to correct faulty connections and its partitioning function. When the hub on an Ethernet network detects an error, it has the ability to find the error and stop the computer from sending data. With a partitioning function, troubleshooting a network is made easier. The node causing the problem can be found by unplugging connections until the network recovers. Unplugging a node from the network causes no problems to the networks performance.

The fast data transfer rates and reliability make Ethernet one of the best choices for a networking technology. The second type of network technology is token ring. Developed by IBM in the 1970's, it is another type of networking technology for a LAN environment. A token ring functions by passing a token around a group of computers that are formed into a ring shape. A M SAU (Multi station Access Unit) connects different computers on a ring together. There can be multiple MSA Us on a ring to connect different networks.

The token passes from computer to computer until the token is picked up by the destination computer. The computer can then retransmit data on the ring as a token to be sent out. Token ring technology is much slower than Ethernet with a maximum data rate of 4.16 M pbs. Token ring has its advantages over Ethernet in its ability to have a lower number of collisions on the network. Newer token ring technology allows for different media types to be used on the network and to connect differing networks together. What token ring lacks in speed, it makes up for in reliability.

FDDI is the third type of technology to be discussed. FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface) allows speeds of 100 Mbps using token ring passing. FDDI differ from token ring and Ethernet networks in its uses. FDDI is more suited towards network backbones because of the high bandwidth it provides along with more distance on its media type.

FDDI uses a fiber optical media or copper wire to transfer data. FDDI advantages are also evident in its media type's ability to resist interference that might otherwise hinder Ethernet and Token ring networks. The primary disadvantages of FDDI are its high price tag for the setup and media type. With its high price tag FDDI is an option that only major companies can institute to take care of their network traffic. Ethernet, wireless, and token ring are all considerably less expensive. However, FDDI provides reliability with collision detection and performance through its high bandwidth media type.

Wireless is the final networking technology to be discussed. Wireless is completely different in the way it sends its data. Wireless, as the name implies, uses no cords to connect various devices together over a network. Wireless has limited speeds that make it drop below the other technologies when talking about performance. Wireless also has a range that computers must be within so that the signal is received.

The range is far lesser than what physical media types are capable of. The advantage of wireless is its flexibility and it's moderately priced. Wireless obviously falls short of data transfer speed when compared to the other networking technologies. The farther away a receiving device is away from the primary network the less data transfer rate there is. However, wireless is becoming better by upgrading signal code and strength. Wireless technology is still in its early stages but falling prices and increased performance will make it hard to beat when it matures.

Conclusions Each of the four types of topologies all differ from the way the function. Different environments must be researched to determine what topology is best for the situation. The number of computers and necessity of reliability determine which topology to chose. Explaining each of the fours advantages and disadvantages can help any IT professional make the right choice for their company's network. Technology has advanced at a rapid rate.

Networking technology changes constantly and old technology is improved upon everyday. The four technologies discussed are all possible technologies that can be used for different situations. Only after looking at how they work and what they offer over the other technologies can someone reach a decision on the best choice to transmit data on their network. Reference List Retrieved 5/22/2005 web Retrieved 5/21/2005 web 5/20/2005 web 5/22/2005 web doc / token rng. htm.