NETWORK TOPOLOGIES

Definition of a Network Topology

Network topology refers to the physical or logical layout of a network. It defines the way different
nodes are placed and interconnected with each other.

Some network topologies include:

Bus Topology: In this topology all the devices/nodes are connected sequentially to the same
backbone or transmission line. This is a simple, low-cost topology, but its single point of failure
presents a risk.

 This is a common topology for Local Area Networks (mainly because they are inexpensive
and easy to install), with all the devices on the network sharing a singlecable.
 The bus is the physical cable that connects the computers and other devices.
 The bus in a bus network ensures that data, information and instructions are transmitted
in all directions from a PC to any other.
 All sites in the system are directly connected to that link. The sites can communicate
with each other directly through this link.
 When a sending device transmits data, the address of the receiving device is included,
with the transmission so the data is routed to the appropriate receiving device.
 This system works well if the channels are not too heavily loaded. In addition, it is easy
to add more stations/nodes without disrupting the network.

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  On the other hand, if sixteen students sit down at sixteen computers all at once and all try
to load software from the network’s hard disk, the whole system may come to a halt.
 Computers and other devices can be attached and detached at any point on the bus without
disturbing the rest of the network.
 The basic cost of the network is linear in the number of sites. The communication cost is
quite low, unless the link becomes a bottleneck. The failure of one site, does not affect
communication among the rest of the sites. However, if the link fails, the network is
partitioned completely.

Ring Topology: In a ring topology, all network devices are connected sequentially to a backbone
as in bus topology except that the backbone ends at the starting node, forming a ring. Ring topology
shares many of bus topology's disadvantages so its use is limited to networks that demand high
throughput.

 In a ring topology, each site is physically connected to exactly two other sites.
 The ring can be either unidirectional or bidirectional.
 In unidirectional architecture, a site can transmit information to only one of its
neighbours. All sites must send information in the same direction.
 In bidirectional architecture, a site can transmit information to both of its neighbours.
 When a computer or device sends data, the data travels to each computer on the ring until
it reaches its destination.
 A small packet, called a token, is passed around the ring to each computer in turn. The
method of sending data in a ring is called, token passing.

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  If a computer has information to send, it modifies the token, adds address information and
the data, and sends it down the ring.
 When a packet is received by the intended destination computer, it returns a message to
the sender indicating its arrival.
 The basic cost of a ring is linear in the number of sites. However, the communication cost
can be high. A message from one site to another travels around the ring until it reaches its
destination.
 In a unidirectional ring, this process could require n-1 transfers. In a bidirectional ring, at
most n/2 transfers are needed.
 In a bidirectional ring, two links must fail before the network will be partitioned. In a
unidirectional ring, a single site failure (or link failure) would partition the network. One
remedy is to extend the architecture by providing double links.
 A ring network can span a larger distance than a bus network, but it is more difficult to
install.
 This topology is very fast as a token can make a complete circuit of a 200m ring 10,000
times per second.
 A ring network is primarily used for LANs, but also is used in WANs.

Star Topology: In this topology, all the nodes in the network are connected to a central device like
a hub or switch via cables. Failure of individual nodes or cables does not necessarily create
downtime in the network but the failure of a central device can. This topology is the most preferred
and popular model.

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  In a star network, one of the sites in the system is connected to all other sites. This site is
called the hub. The hub generates the signals as they are received and sends them on.
 When the signal is sent by a computer, it is received by the hub and retransmitted down
every other cable segment to all the other computers on the network. Again, only the
computer the signal is addressed to will act upon the data.
 None of the other sites are connected to any other.
 The basic cost of this system is linear in the number of sites. The communication cost is
low, because a message from process A to B requires at most two transfers (from A to the
central site, and then from the central site to B). This simple transfer scheme, however,
may not ensure speed, since the central site may become a bottleneck. Consequently,
though the number of message transfers needed is low, the time required to send these
messages may be high.
 In many star systems, therefore, the central site is completely dedicated to the message-
switching task.
 If one of the computers fails in a star network, the others are unaffected. If the central site
fails, the network is completely partitioned.

Mesh Topology: The topology in which each node is directly connected to some or all the other
nodes present in the network. This redundancy makes the network highly fault tolerant but the
escalated costs may limit this topology to highly critical networks. If one network cable fails, the
data always has an alternative path to get to its destination.

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  It has multiple links, so if one route is blocked then other routes can be used for data
communication.
 Each connection can have its own data load, so the traffic problem is eliminated.
 It ensures the data privacy or security, because every message travels along a dedicated
link.
 Troubleshooting of this topology is easy as compared to other networks.
 Its performance is not affected with heavy load of data transmission.
 The arrangement of the network nodes is such that it is possible to transmit data from one
node to many other nodes at the same time.

Some drawbacks of the mesh topology are:

 It becomes very expensive because a large number of cabling and 110 ports are required.
 Difficulty and complications in installation.
 The arrangement wherein every network node is connected to every other node of the
network, many of the connections serve no major purpose. This leads to the redundancy of
many of the network connections.
 Installation is complex as each node is connected to every node.

CONNECTING TO THE INTERNET

Requirements for Connecting to the Internet

Internet service provider: An internet service provider provides you with a connection to the
internet and the software you will need to navigate.

Telecommunication line: A telephone line is required to connect you to the internet service
provider.

Modem: a modem converts a digital signal received from a computer into an analogue signal that
can be sent along ordinary telephone lines, and back to digital at the other end.

Web browser: a web browser is software used to view and download Web pages and various types
of files such as text, graphics and video. Examples are Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla
Firefox, Google Chrome.

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Ways of Connecting to the Internet

Some of the most widely used Internet connections are described below:

Wireless: Radio frequency bands are used in place of telephone or cable networks. One of the
greatest advantages of wireless Internet connections is the “always-on” connection that can be
accessed from any location that falls within network coverage. Wireless connections are made
possible through the use of a modem, which picks up Internet signals and sends them to other
devices.

Mobile: Many cell phone and Smartphone providers offer voice plans with Internet access. Mobile
Internet connections provide good speeds and allow you to access the Internet on the go.

Hotspots: Hotspots are sites that offer Internet access over a wireless local area network (WLAN)
by way of a router that then connects to an Internet service provider. Hotspots utilize Wi-Fi
technology, which allows electronic devices to connect to the Internet or exchange data wirelessly
through radio waves. Hotspots can be phone-based or free-standing, commercial or free to the
public.

Dial-Up: Dial-up connections require users to link their phone line to a computer in order to access
the Internet. This particular type of connection—also referred to as analog—does not permit users
to make or receive phone calls through their home phone service while using the Internet.

Broadband: This high-speed Internet connection is provided through either cable or telephone
companies. One of the fastest options available, broadband Internet uses multiple data channelsto
send large quantities of information. The term broadband is shorthand for broad bandwidth.
Broadband Internet connections such as DSL and cable are considered high-bandwidth connections.
Although many DSL connections can be considered broadband, not all broadband connections are
DSL.

DSL: DSL, which stands for Digital Subscriber Line, uses existing 2-wire copper telephone line
connected to one’s home so service is delivered at the same time as landline telephone service.
Customers can still place calls while surfing the Internet.

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Cable: Cable Internet connection is a form of broadband access. Through use of a cable modem,
users can access the Internet over cable TV lines. Cable modems can provide extremely fast
access to the Internet.

Satellite: In certain areas where broadband connection is not yet offered, a satellite Internet
option may be available. Similar to wireless access, satellite connection utilizes a modem.

ISDN: ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) allows users to send data, voice and video
content over digital telephone lines or standard telephone wires. The installation of an ISDN
adapter is required at both ends of the transmission—on the part of the user as well as the Internet
access provider.

INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS

An Internet service provider (ISP) is an organization that provides services accessing and using
the Internet. Internet service providers may be organized in various forms, such as commercial,
community-owned, non-profit, or otherwise privately owned.

ISPs provide Internet access, employing a range of technologies to connect users to their
network. Available technologies have ranged from computer modems with acoustic couplers to
telephone lines, to television cable (CATV), wireless Ethernet (Wi-Fi), and fiber optics.

For users and small businesses, traditional options include copper wires to provide dial-up, DSL,
typically asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL), cable modem or Integrated Services Digital
Network (ISDN) (typically basic rate interface).

For customers with more demanding requirements (such as medium-to-large businesses, or other
ISPs) can use higher-speed DSL, Ethernet, metropolitan Ethernet, gigabit Ethernet, Frame Relay,
ISDN Primary Rate Interface, ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) and synchronous optical
networking (SONET).

Wireless access is another option, including cellular and satellite Internet access.

ISP’s in Kenya include Zuku, Safaricom, Airtel, Orange, and Faiba Internet,

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