Unit 1.5- Network Topologies and Protocols

Unit 1.5- Network Topologies and Protocols

1. Bus Network

   • All the workstations, servers and printers are joined to one cable (the bus).
   • At each end of the cable a terminator is fitted to stop signals reflecting back down the bus.
   • easy and cheap to install
   • If main cable fails, the whole network fails
   • Security risk
   • Data collisions slow performance

2. Ring Network

   • Each device is connected to two other devices -forming a ring
   • Each packet of data on the network travels in one direction and
   • Each device receives each packet in turn until the destination device receives it.
   • Transfer data quickly
   • If main cable fails, the whole network fails

3. Star Network

   • Each device on the network has its own cable that connects to a switch or hub.
   • expensive to install
   • If a switch fails, the whole system goes down
   • very reliable
   • high-performing as no data collisions occur