Computer Network Topology

ByScott D Meaney

More and more computer networks use wireless methods to move data from one system to another, however many networks still use some type of cabling (Copper or Fiber Optic) to connect systems. The way that cable and hardware, or wireless signals connect to one another to form a network is known as the Network Topology. Historical network topologies include Bus, Ring, and Star, while modern topologies include Hybrid, Mesh, Point-to-Multipoint, and Point-to-Point.

Historical Topologies

Bus: A bus topology uses a single bus cable that connects all of the computers in a line, and data goes out on the entire bus. To prevent data from reflecting at the ends of the cable and creating unnecessary traffic a bus topology needs terminators at each end of the cable.

Ring: A ring topology is similar to a bus topology except that it connects all computers with a central ring cable, so there are no ends to the bus and it does not require termination. The data flows in a circle from one computer to the next in the same direction.

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