Page 18 - DCAP207_NETWORKS_DCAP406_COMPUTER_NETWORKS

Unit 1: Introduction to Computer Networks

Notes
Figure 1.2: Bus Topology

The purpose of the terminators at either end of the network is to stop the signal being
reflected back.
Advantages
Broadcasting and multicasting is much simpler.
Network is redundant in the sense that failure of one node doesn’t effect the network.
The other part may still function properly.
Least expensive since less amount of cabling is required and no network switches
are required.
Good for smaller networks not requiring higher speeds.
Disadvantages
Trouble shooting and error detection becomes a problem because, logically, all
nodes are equal.
Less secure because sniffing is easier.
Limited in size and speed.
3. Ring Topology: All the nodes in a Ring Network are connected in a closed circle of cable.
Messages that are transmitted travel around the ring until they reach the computer that
they are addressed to, the signal being refreshed by each node. In a ring topology, the
network signal is passed through each network card of each device and passed on to the
next device. Each device processes and retransmits the signal, so it is capable of supporting
many devices in a somewhat slow but very orderly fashion. There is a very nice feature
that everybody gets a chance to send a packet and it is guaranteed that every node gets to
send a packet in a finite amount of time.

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