Topology and Local Area Network
The most common topologies today are bus, ring and star.
Bus topology developed in the early days when LAN technology was first introduced. The computers in a LAN are connected to a signal bus andshare the same cable. The bus topology is the least expensive as onlythe connection cable is required and there is no need for additionalequipment. However, it has the disadvantage that if the cable breakssomewhere, the entire LAN will be affected. Also, as all computers on abus LAN are sharing the same cable, if one computer generates error ornoise, it can easily affect others.
Bus topology
Ring topology is designed to overcome some of the problems of bustopology. The computers are connected one by one in a circle. Each computer has its own dedicated connection to the next computer and theydo not share the same cable as they do in bus topology. The performanceof the ring are more predictable than that of a bus topology. Ringtopology is in general more expensive and less commonly used.
Ring topology
Star topology is most commonly used today. The computers in a star LAN are connected to a network hub, each with its own dedicated cable. In this way, when one computer or cable breaks down, it will not affectothers. Also it is very easy to add or remove a computer from the LAN without affecting others by adding/removing the cable connected to the network hub.
Star topology
Primarily, the functions of a local area network are:
•centrally store the data;
•allowing resources (both hardware and software like data, information
and files) to be shared on the network;
•enabling computers to communicate with one another.
References
The Open University of Hong Kong (1994) 'Working systems' in CE150 Foundations in Microcomputing, Hong Kong: OUHK.
The Open University of Hong Kong (1998) 'Data communication' in CE150 Foundations in Microcomputing, Hong Kong: OUHK.