Advantages of Different Topologies

Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Topologies

There are numerous advantages and disadvantages to utilizing a Bus, Ring, Mesh, Star, Tree, and Hybrid Topology. A Bus Topology is the easies to setup and implement and best suited for smaller networks. The cost associated with a Bus Topology is minimal. The biggest disadvantage to a Bus Topology is the limited size of the network because Bus Topology is best utilized for smaller networks. Ring Topology has numerous advantages because of the use of no central server being required allowing for traffic to be unidirectional and transmitted at high speeds. The major disadvantage to this particular topology is the failure in a single node will cause network failure. Mesh Topology is very useful and allows for heavy traffic between networks because of dedicated paths between network nodes. This particular topology comes a one huge disadvantage, and that is due to the complexity of the network making it extremely difficult for IT administration. The Star Topology is very secure because it allows for isolation of each device in the network, thus offers the simplest form of operation. A major disadvantage of the Star Topology is that its network relies on the operation of its central hub. If the central hub fails, the entire network will be compromised. The Tree Topology is most useful in large corporation of organizations where each department of sections must function separately but still be connected to the main/central node as to communicate to all. The disadvantage of this type of topology is that its network depends greatly on a central bus. These buses are utilized greatly in order to connect multiple segments to the central bus. Finally, Hybrid Topologies are the most useful because the take two or more individual topologies and combine then to utilize each of their unique advantages.