• Star Topology For Small Business Phone Systems
• Star Topology Advantages And Disadvantages
• Star Topology Diagram
• Star Topology For Small Businesses
• Network Topology
• Star Network Topology

Made with

Tips to help you build the best network for your small business. Consider business-grade switches and routers. Consumer or home-networking products will not deliver the reliable communications your small business needs or keep pace as your business grows. Invest in a network designed to grow over time. Jan 24, 2018 In a star topology setup, either a coaxial or RJ-45 network cable is used, depending on the type of network card installed in each computer. The image shows how this network setup gets its name, as it is shaped like a star. Advantages of star topology. Centralized management of the network, through the use of the central computer, hub, or switch. A star topology can be configured using a twisted pair, coaxial cable, or an optical fiber. Failure of one node will not affect the entire network. Devices can be added, removed, reconfigured, or modified without disturbing the network. Less cabling is needed to configure star topology. Easy to set up and modify. Easy to troubleshoot.

Small and medium-sized companies have network infrastructure which can total ten or more networking and computing devices (computers, servers, printers, telephones, routers, fax machines, scanners, etc.) All elements of a network have their own settings configured for fast and reliable service. As a company grows, it is necessary to incorporate new devices into the network, update existing devices, change the network topology, and even add new subnets. Changing the configuration of the network is only possible if there is documentation of the operating infrastructure.

Star Topology For Small Business Phone Systems

To achieve high-quality documentation of network infrastructure, it is necessary to include the overall network structure topology, a communication scheme, the layout of the main devices, the scheme arrangement of servers in server racks, the list of installed services, services and databases for each server, and the scheme of corporate PBX.

Network Topology Diagram Software

ConceptDraw DIAGRAM is a powerful Network Topology Diagram software and intelligent vector graphics engine that can be used for network topologies diagrams. The shape libraries contain ready-to use icons of computers, servers, network devices, standard symbols and smart connectors for the quick and easy arrangement of network diagrams.

With ConceptDraw DIAGRAM you can simply create professional looking diagrams:

• Network topology,
• Physical network,
• Logical network,
• Network mapping,
• Home area networks (HAN),
• Wireless network,
• Cisco network topologies,
• Fully connected network topology,
• Bus network topology,
• Star network topology,
• Ring network topology,
• Mesh network topology,
• Tree network topology,
• Cable network,
• Network wiring,
• Local area network (LAN),
• Wide area network (WAN) topology,
• Metropolitan area networks (MAN),
• Campus area networks (CAN),
• Storage area networks (SAN),
• Near-me area networks (NAN),
• Personal area (PAN) networks,
• Near field communication (NFC),
• ISG network,
• Interactive voice response (IVR) networks,
• Activity network,
• Local network area,
• Network security,
• Network wiring cable,
• Computer network architecture,
• Enterprise private network,
• Internet networks,
• Network configuration,
• Active directory network,
• Network protocols,
• Network voip,
• Virtual networks,
• Virtual private networks (VPN),
• Rack diagrams,
• Network layout,
• Backbone network,
• Radio networks,
• Television networks,
• Telecommunication networks,
• Overlay networks,
• 3D network diagrams
• ATM-Network,
• Butterfly network,
• EIGRP,
• IGMP,
• MPLS,
• OSPF Network,
• P2MP network,
• DES network,
• Software Defined Networking System Overview,
• Cloud Computing,
• Mesh network,
• Internet Connectivity,
• Computer network,
• Digital Communications Network,
• Netflow architecture,
• Network Community Structure,
• phone networks,
• Overlay network,
• Office Network,
• VMware vNetwork Distributied Switch (vDS),
• EPN Frame-Relay and Dial-up Network,

What is Network Topology

Network topology is the topological structure of the computer network. Network topology can be physical or logical. The logical topology describes the network dataflows from one device to the next. The physical topology is the arrangement of the different elements of the computer network such as computers, cables and other devices. The physical topology shows the cabling layout of the network, the locations of the nodes and interconnections between cables and nodes. A network logical and physical topologies can be the same.

There are the following basic types of the network topologies:

Bus Network Topology

In local area networks where bus topology is used, each node is connected to a single cable. A signal from the source travels in both directions to all machines connected on the bus cable until it finds the intended recipient. If the data matches the machine address, the data is accepted, otherwise the machine ignores the data. Since the bus topology consists of only one wire, it is rather inexpensive to implement when compared to other topologies. However, the low cost of implementing the technology is offset by the high cost of managing the network. Additionally, since only one cable is utilized, it can be the single point of failure. If the network cable is terminated on both ends and when without termination data transfer stop and when cable breaks, the entire network will be down.

Pic. 1. Bus Network Topology

Star Network Topology

In local area networks with a star topology, each network host is connected to a central hub with a point-to-point connection. In Star topology every node (computer workstation or any other peripheral) is connected to central node called hub or switch. The switch is the server and the peripherals are the clients. The network does not necessarily have to resemble a star to be classified as a star network, but all of the nodes on the network must be connected to one central device. All traffic that traverses the network passes through the central hub. The hub acts as a signal repeater. The star topology is considered the easiest topology to design and implement. An advantage of the star topology is the simplicity of adding additional nodes. The primary disadvantage of the star topology is that the hub represents a single point of failure.

Pic. 2. Star Network Topology

Ring Network Topology

A network topology that is set up in a circular fashion in which data travels around the ring in one direction and each device on the ring acts as a repeater to keep the signal strong as it travels. Each device incorporates a receiver for the incoming signal and a transmitter to send the data on to the next device in the ring. The network is dependent on the ability of the signal to travel around the ring. When a device sends data, it must travel through each device on the ring until it reaches its destination. Every node is a critical link.

Pic. 3. Ring Network Topology

Star Topology Advantages And Disadvantages

Mesh Network Topology

A mesh network is a network topology in which each node relays data for the network. All nodes cooperate in the distribution of data in the network. A mesh network can be designed using a flooding or a routing techniques. When using a routing technique, the message is propagated along a path, by hopping from node to node until the destination is reached. To ensure all its paths' availability, a routing network must allow for continuous connections and reconfiguration around broken or blocked paths, using self-healing algorithms. The self-healing capability enables a routing based network to operate when one node breaks down or a connection goes bad. As a result, the network is typically quite reliable. A mesh network whose nodes are all connected to each other is a fully connected network. Mesh networks can be also seen as one type of ad hoc network.

Pic. 4. Mesh Network Topology

Tree Network Topology

This particular type of network topology is based on a hierarchy of nodes. The highest level of any tree network consists of a single 'root' node that is connected with a single or multiple nodes in the level below by point-to-point links. These lower level nodes are also connected to a single or multiple nodes in the next level down. Tree networks are not constrained to any number of levels, but as tree networks are a variant of the bus network topology, they are prone to crippling network failures should a connection in a higher level of nodes fail/suffer damage. Each node in the network has a fixed number of nodes connected to it at the next lower level in the hierarchy, this number referred to as the 'branching factor' of the tree.

Pic. 5. Tree Network Topology

Fully Connected Network Topology

A fully connected network, complete topology, or full mesh topology is a network topology in which there is a direct link between all pairs of nodes. In a fully connected network with n nodes, there are n(n-1)/2 direct links. Networks designed with this topology are usually very expensive to set up, but provide a high degree of reliability due to the multiple paths for data that are provided by the large number of redundant links between nodes. This topology is mostly seen in military applications.

Pic. 6. Fully Connected Network Topology

Pic. 7. Common Network Topologies Diagram

These samples was created in ConceptDraw DIAGRAM diagramming and vector drawing software using the Computer Network Diagrams Solution from Computer and Networks area of ConceptDraw Solution Park. These diagrams show the basic types of the network topologies.

Star Topology Diagram

Pic. 8. Network Topologies Solution

Use the predesigned vector stencils, examples and templates from the Computer Network Diagrams Solution for ConceptDraw DIAGRAM to design your own professional Computer Network Topology Diagrams quick and easy.

TEN RELATED HOW TO's:

Security Plans →

No security system cannot be constructed without detailed security plan, or even a set of plans in some cases. ConceptDraw DIAGRAM software offers the Security and Access Plans Solution from the Building Plans Area to help you design the Security Plans for any premises and of any complexity.

Mesh Network. Computer and Network Examples →

A Mesh Topology is a computer network topology that is based on the cells concept, in which each workstation connects with several other workstations of the same network with the possible to accept the switch functions for other workstations. This example was created in ConceptDraw DIAGRAM using the Computer and Networks solution from the Computer and Networks area of ConceptDraw Solution Park and shows the Mesh Network.Computer and Network Examples *'>

Fully Connected Network Topology Diagram →

There are several basic topologies including bus, star, point-to-point, ring and a hybrid. Two computers can form a fully connected network topology, and as the number of network nodes increases, the network diagram gets more complicated. This type of topology is also called a full mesh. This is a visual example of a computer network built using a mesh topology. This diagram presents the schematic structure of the full mesh network topology. A common mesh network topology means that each network device is connected with several points in the network, so if the one node of the network goes down, it does not cause an issue with an operability of the entire computer network. In a full mesh network topology, every computer or device in the network is interconnected with each of the other devices in the network.

Point-to-multipoint (P2MP) Network. Computer and Network Examples →

A Point-to-multipoint (P2MP) communication is a communication that is accomplished through the one-to-many connection. This example was created in ConceptDraw DIAGRAM using the Computer and Networks Area of ConceptDraw Solution Park and shows the Point-to-multipoint (P2MP) network.Computer and Network Examples *'>

Mesh Network Topology Diagram →

The reliability is a cornerstone for any corporate computer network. If you want to provide a high fault tolerance, a mesh network topology would be the solution. The main advantage of this network is that every node can work as a commutator, although it’s not easy to set up this kind of network. A mesh network topology may be full, or partial. Full mesh network means that each node of the network (computer, workstation or other equipment) is connected directly to each of the other nodes. A partial mesh topology means that a part of nodes are connected with a whole network, and the other part of nodes are only connected to those equipment, they exchange the majority of data. This illustration shows schematic diagram of a partial mesh network containing six nodes. Each node is represented as a circles and connections are drawn as straight lines. The connections may be both wired and wireless. This scheme can be used to make the specific logical or physical network diagrams by means the ConceptDraw Computer and Networks solution.

Hierarchical Network Topology →

This sample was created in ConceptDraw DIAGRAM diagramming and vector drawing software using the Computer and Networks solution from Computer and Networks area of ConceptDraw Solution Park. This sample shows the Hierarchical network topology. A Hierarchical network topology interconnects multiple groups that are located on the separate layers to form a larger network. Each layer concentrates on the specified functions, this allows to choose the right equipment for the layer.

Pyramid Diagram →

Pyramid chart example is included in the Pyramid Diagrams solution from Marketing area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.

TQM Diagram Tool →

The Total Quality Management Diagram solution helps you and your organization visualize business and industrial processes. Create Total Quality Management diagrams for business process with ConceptDraw software.

Geo Map - Europe - Luxembourg →

The vector stencils library Luxembourg contains contours for ConceptDraw DIAGRAM diagramming and vector drawing software. This library is contained in the Continent Maps solution from Maps area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.

Network topology - Star, Bus, Mesh, and Ring topologies

Topology of a network is its physical layout. You should be able to identify, based a picture or description, the star, bus, mesh, and ring topology.
Star topology is the most popular network topology in businesses today. It consists of nodes connected to a central switch or hub. If you have a home network, you are probably using the star topology.
Bus topology is one which consists of all of the workstations connected to a single cable. This topology is frequently in coax, or 10Base2, networks. The bus network has a terminator on each end of the network. If a terminator is not present or if there is a problem in the line (e.g. NIC card failure, network disconnected from PC), all workstations on that line lose connectivity.

Star Topology For Small Businesses

Mesh topology is one which has all of the workstations connected to each other. This topology is typically only used when high availability is a requirement. It is expensive to maintain and troubleshoot.
Ring topology is one which all of the computers are connected in a loop and data is passed from one workstation to another. This is most common in a token ring environment where a 'token' is sent with data from one node to another until it finds its destination.
Network Topology is the physical layout of the network. This concept is the foundation for understanding corporate networks and the technologies used to make them function.
In this section, you will learn:

• What a network topology is;
• How to identify the different network topologies.

What is a Network Topology?
There are basically two components to a network. Devices on the network that want to share resources or information and the medium which allows the communication to occur. A Network Topology is the physical layout of the computers, servers, and cables. There are four topologies mentioned in this learning item: star, bus, mesh, and ring. You can add wireless to the list as a growing popular option for network topology.
Understanding Network Topologies
Your corporate network may be a combination of several of these topologies. You may have one topology in your data center, a different in your offices, and a third in your conference rooms. You need to be familiar with each of the topologies, their characteristics, and what they look like drawn out.
Star Topology
The most popular topology for business today - the star topology consists of all of the nodes on a network connected to a central switch or hub. A node is a device attached to the network - such as a computer.
Each node on the network has a cable back to the central switch. If one cable fails to a node, only that node (computer) is affected. You can combine several switches or hubs to create several stars, all connected together.
The Star topology is very inexpensive to maintain versus other topologies. 10BaseT is an example of Star topology. Think of the star topology as a big wheel. At the center of the wheel is a switch or hub and each spoke going out from the center goes to a node.
Bus Topology
Bus topology is one which all of the devices on the network are connected with a single cable with terminators on each end. This single cable is often referred to as a backbone or trunk.
The typical Bus network uses coax as its cable. Coax is a cable similar to what you use for your cable TV. Coax is also referred to as 10Base2.
The upside to using coax is that it is inexpensive, easy to install, and is not as susceptible to electromagnetic interference as twisted pair cable is.
The downside for a coax network is the speed is limited to 10 Mbps (Megabits per second) and that is an interruption occurs in the cable, all of the nodes (workstations) on the cable will lose connectivity. If a NIC fails or a cable is disconnected at any of the points in the network, it will not be terminated properly so all of the computers will lose connectivity to the network.
Mesh Topology
A mesh topology is one which all of the nodes are directly connected with all of the other nodes.
A mesh topology is the best choice when you require fault tolerance, however, it is very difficult to setup and maintain.
There are two types of mesh network: full mesh and partial mesh. A full mesh is one which every workstation is connected to the other ones in the network. In a partial mesh, the workstations have at least two NICs with connections to other nodes on the network. Mesh networks are commonly used in WANs.
Ring Topology
The ring topology is one which the network is a loop where data is passed from one workstation to another.
Commonly, you find the ring topology with token ring networks. Token ring networks are defined by IEEE 802.5 and were primarily developed by IBM. The token ring network is designed to transmit a token, or a special frame, designed to go from node to node around the ring. As the frame passes, if a workstation needs to transmit data, it modifies the frame, attaches its data and sends it on. If the data is intended for the next workstation on the network, it receives the data and the information stops at that workstation. If it is intended for somewhere else on the network, the data is retransmitted around the ring until it finds its intended location. Once the data finds its new home, a blank token is transmitted and another workstation can attach data and then that data travels around the ring.
There is a token holding timer to prevent a workstation from transmitting too much data. This protocol ensures all workstations on the network get an opportunity to send data. The original specification could only operate up to 16 Mbps though newer Fast Token Ring networks can transmit up to 1 Gbps (gigabit per second).

Network Topology

Advantages for token ring networks include a 4k maximum frame size, longer distance capabilities than Ethernet, and each station is guaranteed access to a token at some point. Ethernet is a shared access medium meaning each workstation has equal access to the available bandwidth at any given time.
The recommended distance for Type 1 cabling on a token ring network is 300 meters, on Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cabling, about 150 meters. More details will be discussed about token ring shortly.
Introduction to Networking
By: Azhar Qureshi
September 2010
Peetabeck Academy, Fort Albany, Ontario

Star Network Topology

Comments: