Communication and the Internet Year 10 Computer Science Communication and the Internet
Learning Objectives Understand the different characteristics of network topologies (bus, ring, Star and mesh)
Bus Ring Star Network Topologies Key word: “Topology”. This means the layout of a network. There are four different ways (topologies) of laying out a network. They are called: Bus Ring Star
Advantages: Disadvantages: BUS Server Printer Main Cable Terminator A BUS network is a cheap and easy way of setting up a network. Server Printer Terminator Main Cable Advantages: The simplest and cheapest to install and extend; Failure of one node does not affect the rest of the bus network Disadvantages: If the main bus cable fails then the whole network will fail; Performance of the network slows down rapidly with more nodes or heavy network traffic
Advantages: Disadvantages: Ring Node A ring network uses a one-way system Advantages: Cheap to set up as there is no central server or switch. Disadvantages: Cable failure anywhere will affect the whole network Need to ‘break’ the ring in order to add a new node All nodes must be switched on for the network to work properly. Node
STAR Terminal Switch Server Printer Many people believe Star networks are the best solution Terminal Advantages: Fastest performance Easy to install and to expand with extra nodes A failure in the minor cables will only affect one node Disadvantages: Uses the most cable which makes it more expensive An extra hub or switch further increases the cost Switch Server Printer
MESH A mesh topology is a network topology in which all the network nodes are individually connected to most of the other nodes. There is not a concept of a central switch, hub or computer which acts as a central point of communication to pass on the messages. Advantages: The failure of one node will only affect that node Channel failure will have no effect as alternative channels are available Disadvantages: Extra cabling makes this an expensive Complex cabling leads to higher maintenance of the network.
Activity In PowerPoint, design your own school network using the icons provided. Server Terminal Laptop Printer WWW Router Switch Wi-Fi Tablets You must annotate your diagram: Label hardware.