Wired network topology refers to the physical or logical connection of devices such as computers, switches, or routers in a wired network, meaning they are connected using physical cables.
It defines how data is transmitted between devices and how each component interacts within the network.
Different types of wired topologies, such as star, ring, and mesh, offer varying levels of performance, reliability, and scalability.
Wired Star Topology
A wired star topology is created by connecting all devices to a central device, usually a switch. Each computer or device has its own dedicated connection to this central device — this is how a star topology works.
It is easy to install and manage, and it also provides high performance. When a device sends data, the hub or switch receives it and then forwards the data either to the intended recipient device only (in the case of a switch) or to all devices (in the case of a hub).
This topology is commonly used in office LANs, school or college computer labs, and home networks.
Wired Ring Topology
In a wired ring topology, each device is connected in a circular manner, forming a closed loop. This loop allows data to flow in a single direction until it reaches its destination.
It allows orderly transmission of data and provides good performance. In this topology, every device gets an equal chance to transmit data.
In a dual ring topology, two rings are used to connect all devices. Each device is connected to its neighboring devices through two separate cables, allowing data to be transmitted in two directions.
Data usually travels through the primary loop, but if that loop fails, the secondary loop starts transmitting the data. This provides redundancy and fault tolerance.
It is commonly used in Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) and industrial networks that require high reliability.
Wired Mesh Topology
A wired mesh topology is a type of network layout where every device is connected to every other device in the network through dedicated physical cables. This creates multiple paths for data to travel, ensuring high reliability and fault tolerance.
There are two main types of mesh topology:
Full Mesh: Every device is connected to all other devices.
Partial Mesh: Some devices are connected to all others, while others connect only to a few.
In a wired mesh topology, data can take multiple routes to reach the destination device or server. Each device in the network acts as both a sender and a receiver, helping to transmit data across the network efficiently and reliably.
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