TEJ2O1: Networking Network Topologies

By: Cameron Lin

NETWORK TOPOLOGIES
WHAT IS A TOPOLOGY?
A network topology is the pattern of links connecting pairs of nodes of a network.
A node is a device that is connected as part of a computer network.
A given node has one or more links to others, and the links can appear in a variety of different shapes.

1. Go to the following website and watch the videos that illustrate how 3 topologies work:
http://www.teach-ict.com/gcse_new/networks/topologies/theory_topologies.htm

2. Compare the three topologies by researching some advantages and disadvantages of each of
3. them. You may have to use some other resources to find some of this information.

TEJ2O1: Networking Network Topologies

Network Topology
Bus

By: Cameron Lin

Advantage
Easy to set up
Low cable length
Bus topology costs less
Still works for other nodes
if a cable to a different
node breaks
Usually used for small
networks (good for LAN)

Ring

Star

Better performance than

bus network
Each computer has equal
access
Very organized because
information typically only
goes 1 direction

Better performance than

bus network
Easy to connect new nodes
Easy to manage due to
centralized management
If 1 node goes down, the
other nodes are unaffected

Disadvantage
Limit on cable and
number of nodes that
can be used
If the main cable breaks,
the entire network fails
Can be difficult to detect
problems at individual
nodes
High maintenance costs
over time
Low security
If 1 node goes down,
the entire network is
affected
Highly dependent on
wires
Can be expensive
(network cards)

If central hub fails, the

entire network fails
Can be expensive (hub,
router, switch)
Performance is
dependent on central
hub

TEJ2O1: Networking Network Topologies

By: Cameron Lin

NETWORKING HARDWARE
Computer networks can also be classified according to the hardware and software technology that is used to
interconnect the individual devices in the network, such as Twisted Pair (Ethernet), Optical fiber and Wireless
LAN. Ethernet uses physical wiring to connect devices. Frequently used devices include hubs, switches, bridges
and/or routers. Wireless LAN technology is designed to connect devices without wiring. These devices use
radio waves or infrared signals as a transmission medium.

MAKING THE CONNECTION

To connect workstations various methods are used. The most common types of network cabling are:

1. Twisted Pair Cable

This is the most common type of network cabling. Within the cable are 4 pairs of twisted wires.
The twists are used to reduce electrical interference (the more the better). The most often used
type is CAT5 which can handle data transmissions up to 1000Mbps. Maximum distance: 100m

2. Fibre-optic Cable
Data is transmitted along very thin fibres of glass using pulses of light. It can carry data over
longer distances than twisted pair or coaxial cable (up to 20km). It is not affected by electrical
interference. It is expensive to purchase and install. Transmission speed is 1-10Gbps (higher
speeds can be obtained using bundled cables).

3. Wireless (WiFi)
Uses radio transmissions. Indoor range is approximately 30-70m. Can be used in places wires may be difficult or
impossible to run. More susceptible to signal loss than a physical cable.

DIRECTING NETWORK TRAFFIC

In order for your network to function, it needs to be able to pass information from node to node. Ideally, this
would be done as efficiently as possible.
Hubs
Hubs are network devices which connect multiple computers together making them act as a
single segment. A segment is a collection of computers which belong to the same IP network.
Hubs are unintelligent and do not mange network traffic.
Switches
Switches are also network connectivity devices which connect network segments. Switches are
more intelligent than hubs in that they only forward data to the destination port(s)/computer(s),
whereas hubs broadcast data to all ports/computers. This results in less network traffic than hubs
Routers
Routers are the backbone of the Internet. They connect networks together, such as the Internet
(network of networks) which is the largest network in the world. Routers are sophisticated devices
which make many decisions, such as the path which data will follow from source to destination
across networks. Their primary function is to route data across networks.
Network Interface Cards (NICs)
Interface cards provide the connection between a network and the computer
Wireless Router/Switch
Capable of sending signal everywhere inside a house or building

TEJ2O1: Networking Network Topologies

By: Cameron Lin

NETWORK HARDWARE RESEARCH

Part 1: Google the following network hardware items:
O Router
O Switch
O Bridge
O Repeater
O Hub
O Modem
O Server
O Client
O WNIC
O Create a dictionary including a definition and image
O Use the table below as your template
Template and Example:
Name
NIC

Definition

Image

Network Interface Card. A computer circuit

board or card that is installed in a computer
so that it can be connected to a network.

*unfortunately this website does not work on our school network, but you can try this at home!
PART 2 Create your own network! Gliffy is a wonderful FREE tool that allows you to create diagrams (webpage layout,
software design, network configurations, flow charts, etc).
Instructions:
1. Go to http://www.gliffy.com/
2. Select Start Drawing!
3. Under categories select Network diagram software
4. Using the tool palette you see on your left, create a new
home network that includes the following, with labels:
a. Router
b. Wireless
c. Xbox
d. Netflix
e. TV with Ethernet
f. Laptop (wireless)
g. Smartphone (wireless)
h. Desktop
i. Item of your choice
5. Save your file by selecting file\export as jpeg (if you dont
want to create your own account, you can simply use
Windows Snipping Tool (located in your Start menu) to take
a snapshot of your network).

SAMPLE

TEJ2O1: Networking Network Topologies

By: Cameron Lin

NETWORKING EQUIPMENT: HUBS, SWITCHES AND ROUTERS

a) Hubs
With a hub, data is passed along or "broadcast" to every one of its ports. It doesn't matter that the data is only
destined for one port. The hub has no way of distinguishing which port a frame should be sent to. Passing it
along to every port ensures that it will reach its intended destination. This places a lot of traffic on the network
and can lead to poor network response times.
Additionally, a hub must share its bandwidth with each and every one of its ports. So when only one PC is
broadcasting, it will have access to the maximum available bandwidth. If, however, multiple PCs are
broadcasting, then that bandwidth will need to be divided among all of those systems, which will degrade
performance.

b) Switches
A switch, however, keeps a record of the MAC addresses of all the devices connected to it. With this
information, a switch can identify which system is sitting on which port. So when a frame is received, it knows
exactly which port to send it to, without significantly increasing network response times.
Also, unlike a hub, a switch will allocate full bandwidth to each of its ports. So regardless of the number of PCs
transmitting, users will always have access to the maximum amount of bandwidth. It's for these reasons why a
switch is considered to be a much better choice then a hub.

TEJ2O1: Networking Network Topologies

By: Cameron Lin

c) Routers

Routers are like super-smart switches, with a bit more functionality. A router has its own IP address and it typically
functions as a gateway, a place where two or more networks connect (i.e. where your internal home network connects to
the Internet). You can actually connect to your router though the Internet and configure it if you really know what youre
doing. Routers can also determine the best path for forwarding the data packets and routers have the ability to
communicate with each other and configure the best route between any two hosts.
Today, a wide variety of services are integrated into most broadband routers. Some important ones include a Dynamic
Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server, Domain Name Service (DNS), proxy server and a HARDWARE FIREWALL
to protect the LAN from malicious intrusion from the Internet.

TEJ2O1: Networking Network Topologies

By: Cameron Lin