Wondering about different network topologies? Well, let’s dive right in and explore them together! So, which of the following is not a common network topology? Hang on tight, and let’s find out!
Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or just curious about how networks are structured, understanding different topologies is key. But before we dive into the specific answer, let’s take a moment to understand what a network topology is.
Imagine a network as a web of connections—like a spider’s intricate web! Each topology represents a unique way of arranging these connections. Now, get ready to learn about the common network topologies and discover which one stands out from the rest. Excited? Let’s go!
Which Of The Following Is Not A Common Network Topology?
Network topologies play a crucial role in establishing how devices are connected in a network. When discussing common network topologies, it’s important to understand the various options available.
While there are several common network topologies such as bus, star, ring, mesh, and tree, the one that is not commonly used is the mesh topology.
Mesh topologies involve a direct connection between each device, making it more complex and costly to implement compared to other topologies.
Common Network Topologies
Network topologies are categorized based on the way devices are interconnected. Let’s take a closer look at some commonly used network topologies:
1. Bus Topology
In a bus topology, devices are connected to a central cable called the “bus.” All devices share this cable, and data is transmitted in both directions. Each device listens to this cable to detect if any data is being transmitted. If it is, the device will read the data, and if not, it can transmit its own data.
Bus topologies are relatively simple and inexpensive, making them popular for small networks. However, they are less scalable and suffer from performance degradation if multiple devices transmit at the same time.
2. Star Topology
In a star topology, devices are connected to a central device, usually a switch or hub. Each device has its own dedicated connection to the central device. This central device manages the communication between devices by relaying data from one device to another.
Star topologies are highly reliable and offer better performance compared to bus topologies. Additionally, the failure of one device does not affect the rest of the network. However, star topologies are more expensive to implement and require additional cabling.
3. Ring Topology
In a ring topology, devices are connected circularly, forming a closed loop. Each device in the network is connected to its neighboring devices, creating a continuous loop for data transmission. Data travels in a unidirectional manner, passing through each device until it reaches its destination.
Ring topologies are known for their fault tolerance, as the failure of one device does not affect the entire network. However, troubleshooting and adding new devices to the network can be challenging. Additionally, if a single device or link fails, it can disrupt the entire network.
4. Mesh Topology
Mesh topologies provide the highest level of redundancy and fault tolerance. In a mesh topology, every device is directly connected to every other device. This means that if one connection fails, there are multiple alternate paths for data to reach its destination. Mesh topologies can be either full mesh or partial mesh, depending on the number of direct connections.
Mesh topologies offer excellent performance and fault tolerance, making them ideal for critical infrastructures. However, they are complex to implement and require a significant amount of cabling and configuration. Additionally, they can be costly compared to other topologies.
5. Tree Topology
Tree topologies, also known as hierarchical topologies, are a combination of bus and star topologies. In a tree topology, devices are organized into multiple levels, with each level connected to a central device or a parent node. The parent nodes are then connected to a higher-level parent node until they reach the root of the tree.
Tree topologies are highly scalable and provide a hierarchical structure that simplifies network management. However, the failure of a parent node can lead to the loss of connectivity for all its child nodes.
6. Hybrid Topology
Hybrid topologies combine two or more different types of topologies. For example, a network could have a mix of star and bus topologies or a combination of ring and mesh topologies.
Hybrid topologies are used to leverage the advantages of multiple topologies and overcome their limitations. This allows for more flexibility and customization in network design.
Hybrid topologies offer the benefits of different topologies and cater to specific network requirements. However, they can be more complex to implement and maintain compared to single-topology networks.
7. Point-to-Point Topology
Point-to-Point topology is a simple network topology where two devices are directly connected. This type of topology is commonly used for creating a direct and dedicated link between two devices, such as a computer and a printer or two routers in a network. Each device has a dedicated connection, allowing for efficient and private communication.
Point-to-Point topologies are easy to set up and offer direct and reliable communication between the connected devices. However, they are limited to connecting only two devices and do not provide the scalability of other topologies.
Other Notable Network Topologies
In addition to the commonly used network topologies mentioned above, there are a few other topologies worth mentioning:
8. Mesh Ring Topology
Mesh ring topology is a combination of ring and mesh topologies. It combines the fault tolerance of a ring topology with the redundancy and flexibility of a mesh topology.
In a mesh ring topology, each device is connected to two neighboring devices, forming a ring. However, every device is also connected to multiple other devices, creating alternate paths for data transmission in case of a failure.
9. Fully Connected Topology
Fully connected topology, also known as the complete graph topology, is a type of mesh topology where every device is directly connected to every other device.
Unlike partial mesh topologies, where only some devices have multiple connections, fully connected topologies have every device networked with all others. These topologies are used in applications that require high performance and real-time communication.
10. Star-Bus Topology
Star-bus topology is a combination of star and bus topologies. In this topology, multiple star networks are connected using a shared bus.
Each star network has its own central device, and these central devices are then connected to a central bus. This hybrid topology allows for organizing devices into smaller groups while enabling communication between these groups through the shared bus.
11. Daisy Chain Topology
Daisy chain topology, also known as linear topology, is a sequential arrangement of devices where each device is connected to the next in a chain-like fashion.
The output of one device serves as the input for the next device, creating a daisy chain connection. This topology is commonly used for connecting peripherals, such as printers and external drives, in a chain-like configuration.
12. Wireless Mesh Topology
Wireless mesh topology is a wireless variation of the traditional mesh topology. In wireless mesh topologies, devices are connected via wireless signals instead of physical cables.
Each device acts as a node, relaying data to other devices until it reaches the intended destination. Wireless mesh topologies are often used in large-scale outdoor networks, such as metropolitan Wi-Fi deployments or industrial IoT systems.
Which Of The Following Is Not A Common Network Topology? – Conclusion
After exploring various network topologies, we can conclude that the point-to-point topology is the one that is not commonly used in general networking environments.
While point-to-point connections are utilized for specific purposes, such as connecting two devices directly, they are limited in scalability and are not suitable for building large-scale networks. However, in scenarios where direct, dedicated communication is required between two devices, point-to-point topologies offer a simple and effective solution.
When designing a network, it is important to consider the specific requirements, scalability, fault tolerance, and budget. Each topology has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the choice should be based on the individual needs of the network.
Benefits of Different Network Topologies
1. Bus Topology
- Simple and inexpensive to set up.
- Easy to add or remove devices.
- Good for small networks with a low number of devices.
2. Star Topology
- Highly reliable and fault-tolerant.
- Performance is not affected by other devices in the network.
- Easy to troubleshoot and isolate issues.
3. Ring Topology
- Fault-tolerant, as the failure of one device does not disrupt the entire network.
- Efficient data transmission with each device having an equal opportunity to transmit.
- Easy to add or remove devices without affecting the rest of the network.
4. Mesh Topology
- Highly reliable and fault-tolerant with multiple paths for data transmission.
- Excellent performance, especially in large networks.
- No single point of failure.
5. Tree Topology
- Scalable and easy to add new devices.
- Efficient management and organization of network devices into hierarchies.
- Allows for the implementation of different topologies within each level.
6. Hybrid Topology
- Flexibility in incorporating the advantages of multiple topologies.
- Customizable to meet specific network requirements.
- Can be designed to optimize performance, fault tolerance, or cost-effectiveness.
7. Point-to-Point Topology
- Direct and dedicated communication between two devices.
- Easy to set up and manage.
- Offers privacy and security as there are no other devices on the network.
Tips for Choosing the Right Network Topology
When selecting a network topology for your specific needs, consider the following tips:
1. Understand your requirements
Clearly define your network requirements, such as the number of devices, expected traffic, scalability needs, and fault tolerance. This will help in selecting a suitable topology.
2. Consider network growth
Anticipate the future growth of your network and ensure that the chosen topology can accommodate additional devices without compromising performance or reliability.
3. Evaluate cost implications
Consider the cost of implementing and maintaining the chosen topology, including the required cabling, switches, and other networking equipment. Balance the cost with the benefits and requirements of your network.
4. Assess fault tolerance
Assess the criticality of your network and determine the level of fault tolerance required. Choose a topology that provides the desired level of redundancy and fault tolerance based on your network’s needs.
5. Plan for scalability
Ensure that the selected topology can scale as your network grows. This includes considering factors such as the number of devices, the need for additional network segments, and the ability to easily add or remove devices.
By considering these tips, you can make an informed decision when selecting the right network topology for your specific requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
In this section, we will explore common questions related to different network topologies. Learn which of the following is not a common network topology.
What is a network topology?
Network topology refers to the physical or logical arrangement of devices in a network. It determines how devices are interconnected and communicate with each other.
For example, in a bus topology, devices are connected in a linear fashion with each device connected to a single main cable.
What are some common network topologies?
Some common network topologies include:
- Bus topology: Devices are connected to a single main cable.
- Star topology: Devices are connected to a central hub or switch.
- Ring topology: Devices are connected in a circular manner, forming a closed loop.
- Mesh topology: Devices are connected individually to every other device in the network.
Which of the following is not a common network topology?
A tree topology is not a common network topology. In a tree topology, devices are connected in a hierarchical structure, resembling a tree. This means that each device is connected to a single parent device, forming a tree-like structure.
While tree topologies may be used in some scenarios, such as connecting multiple local area networks, they are less common compared to bus, star, ring, and mesh topologies.
What are the advantages of bus and star topologies?
Bus topology has the advantage of being simple and easy to install. It requires less cabling compared to other topologies, making it cost-effective. Additionally, failures in one device usually do not affect the entire network.
On the other hand, star topology is known for its reliability. If one device fails, it does not impact the rest of the network. It is also easy to add or remove devices without disrupting the entire network.
What are the disadvantages of ring and mesh topologies?
Ring topology can be less fault-tolerant compared to other topologies. If one device or connection fails, the entire network can be affected. It can also be more difficult to add or remove devices without disrupting the network.
Mesh topology, while providing redundancy and high reliability, requires a significant amount of cabling as each device needs to be connected to every other device. This can make it complex to set up and expensive to maintain.
Network topologies are the different ways that devices can be connected to form a network. In this article, we discussed four common network topologies: bus, star, ring, and mesh.
A bus topology is like a straight line, where all devices are connected to a single cable. In a star topology, all devices connect to a central hub. A ring topology forms a loop, where each device is connected to two others.
A mesh topology allows devices to connect to each other directly, creating multiple paths. These topologies have different advantages and disadvantages, and are used in different situations depending on network needs.
