Topology III - Ring Networks

In a ring network, a common cable passes through each machine. The data passes round in one direction.

ADVANTAGES.

• Few collisions so it runs fast.

DISADVANTAGES.

• If the cable is disrupted, the whole network goes down.

Topology II - Star networks.

 In a star network, the client machines are connected to a central switch that attaches them to whichever servers are required.

ADVANTAGES.

• Easy to add extra clients.
• Fewer data collisions.
• No disruption to the rest of the network if one connectios fails.

DISADVANTAGES

• Can be expensive to set up ( building work may be required.)

More information here: http://fcit.usf.edu/network/chap5/chap5.htm

Topology

Topology is the way that a LAN is laid out. A LAN may be laid out as a bus, star or ring network. Most LANs in large organisations are now set out as star networks.

• It's slow when busy because of data collisions.

• Terminators are needed to prevent signals from being reflected.