Ring Topology

Ring Topology

1. Advantages

   • There is no dependence upon a central host
   • Each computer has the same access as others so no one node can dominate the network
   • As data is in one direction it can transmit large volumes of data
   • No collisions
   • Cabling costs are less than other topologies
   • Very high transmission speeds are possible
   • It is deterministic i.e. different performance levels can be dtermined for different traffic levels
   • Routing between devices is simple because messages normal travel in one direction

2. Disadvantages

   • If there is a break in the connection then the whole network fails
   • It is impossible to keep the network running whilst equipment is added or removed because there is only one path for the data to follow
   • Faults are difficult to locate

3. In a ring network layout, all of the computers are conected to one another in a circle. The data passes from one computer to the next one and then all the way around the ring layout until it reaches the destinstion computer.