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Network Topologies and Cabling

Network Standard Topologies

1. Mesh Topology

Description: Every system is connected to every other system, providing multiple paths for data transmission.

  • Types:

    • Full Mesh: Every node connects to every other node. Common in critical networks like bank networks.
    • Partial Mesh: Some nodes are connected to all others, but some only to a few. Useful when full mesh is too costly or complex.

  • Advantages:

    • High Redundancy: Ensures data transmission even if some connections fail.
    • Fault Tolerance: Can handle multiple failures without affecting connectivity.

  • Example Hardware/Software:

    • BitTorrent. When you download files via BitTorrent, your computer connects to multiple other computers that have the same file. There's no central server. Each computer (or peer) shares a piece of the file with each other.
    • Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum utilize blockchain technology

Mesh topology is prevalent in WANs, such as the Internet backbone, where constant connectivity is crucial.

2. Ring Topology

Description: Systems are connected in a circular fashion. Data often travels in one direction.

  • Traffic Management: A 'token' system is utilized to prevent collisions and manage traffic.

  • Example Hardware/Software:

    • IBM's Token Ring network in the past used MAUs (Multistation Access Units) as a hardware device to create and maintain the ring topology.
    • FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface): Another ring-based technology, but focused on fiber optics.

Ring topologies have become less common due to technological advances and maintenance challenges.

3. Bus Topology

Description: All devices share a single communication line or 'bus'.

  • Functionality: Possible data collisions if multiple devices transmit simultaneously.

  • Example Hardware/Software:

    • 10Base2 (Thin Ethernet) and 10Base5 (Thick Ethernet): Ethernet standards that used coaxial cables in bus topology.
    • BNC connectors and T-connectors were standard for attaching devices to the bus in 10Base2 networks.

Collisions such as in early Ethernet setups, can hinder network performance. Today, this design is largely obsolete.

4. Star Topology

Description: All devices connect to a central hub or switch.

  • Advantages:

    • Ease of Installation & Maintenance: Simplified troubleshooting and scalability.
    • Isolation of Devices: Individual device failures don't cripple the whole network.

Example Hardware/Software:

  • Ethernet switches (e.g., Cisco Catalyst switches, Netgear ProSafe switches): Modern devices that intelligently forward data only to the intended recipient.
  • Call of Duty's P2P System: Operates like a star topology where one player's system is the central host. All players connect to this host. If the host disconnects, the game briefly pauses for "host migration" to a new player.

Star topology, especially with switches like Cisco's, is predominant in modern LANs due to its robustness and simplicity.

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