RAIGANJ UNIVERSITY

Raiganj, Uttar Dinajpur

Department of Computer & Information Science (CIS)

“Network Topologies with Reference to LAN”

Submitted by: Kiran Jyoti Roy
Dept. of CIS, RGU
Roll - RGU/UG/31 No.-150187
Regn. No. – 01151291291448
E-mail – instakiran@gmail.com
Session – 2015-2016

Abstract: This project is based on the network topologies. Network topology is the
arrangement of the various elements like links, nodes, etc. of a computer network and may be
described both physically and logically. Physical Topology is the placement of the various
components of a network that includes device location and cable installation, while Logical
Topology describes how data flows within a network regardless of its physical design. Hence,
Network topology means the topological structure of a network.

Keyword: Networks, Technologies, LAN, MAN, WAN, Communication system.

Introduction: In simple words, network topology means the layout of a network. It describes
how different nodes in a network are connected to each other and how they communicate is
determined by the network topology.
 Core area: There are different types of computer networks. Computer networks can be
characterized by their size as well as their purpose. The most common types of network based
on area are:

 LAN – Local Area Network

 WAN – Wide Area Network
 MAN- Metropolitan Area Network

There are other types of area network as well. They are:

 WLAN – Wireless Local Area Network

 SAN – Storage Area Network
 PAN – Personal Area Network
 CAN – Campus/Corporate Area Network

Among those mentioned above, LAN and WAN are the most popular network types.

LAN: LAN stands for Local Area Network. LAN is a computer network that is spanned
inside a building and operated under single administrative system. Usually, LAN covers an
organization’s offices, schools, colleges, or universities. LAN provides a useful way of
sharing the resources between end users. LAN works under its own local domain and
controlled centrally. LAN uses either Ethernet or Token-ring technology. LAN can be wired,
wireless, or in both forms at once.

Fig. - Local Area Network (LAN)

 WAN: WAN stands for Wide Area Network. A wide area network is a telecommunications
network or computer network that extends over a large geographical distance. WAN provide
connectivity to MANs and LANs. Since they are equipped with very high speed backbone,
WANs use very expensive network equipment. Wide area networks are often established
with leased telecommunication circuits.
Business, education, and government entities use wide area network to relay data to staff,
students, clients, buyers, suppliers from various locations across the world. The Internet may
be considered as WAN. WAN may use advanced technologies such as Asynchronous
Transfer Mode (ATM), Frame Relay, and Synchronous Optical Network (SONET). WAN
may be managed by multiple administrations.

Fig. – Wide Area Network (WAN)

MAN: MAN stands for Metropolitan Area Network. A metropolitan area network is a
network with a size between a LAN and a WAN. It normally covers the area inside a town
or a city. It is designed for customers who need high speed connectivity and have end-points
spread over a city or a part of city. A common example is the telephone company network
and cable TV network. MAN can be in the form of Ethernet, Token-ring, ATM, or Fiber
Distributed Data Interface (FDDI).
Metro Ethernet is a service which is provided by ISPs. This service enables its users to
expand their Local Area Networks. For example, MAN can help an organization to connect
all of its offices in a city.
 Fig. – Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

Network Topologies: As discussed earlier, network topology is the arrangement with which
computer systems or network devices are connected to each other. Topologies may define
both physical and logical aspect of the network. The physical topology is the way you
physically lay out the network, like a map, and the logical topology is the way the
information flows on the network. Usually, both logical and physical topologies could be
same or different in a same network.

The network topology has seven basic topologies. They are:

 Point-to-Point
 Bus
 Star
 Ring or circular
 Mesh
 Tree
 Hybrid

Point-to-Point: The Point-to-Point topology is the simplest topology with a dedicated link
between two end points that means Point-to-point networks contains exactly two hosts such
as computer, switches or routers, servers connected back to back using a single piece of
cable. Often, the receiving end of one host is connected to sending end of the other and vice-
versa.

Fig.- Point-to-Point Topology

 Bus Topology: Bus topology is a type of topology where all devices share single
communication line or cable. It is one of the simple forms of networking where a failure of a
device does not affect the other devices. But failure of the shared communication line can
make all other devices stop functioning. Both the ends of the shared channel have line
terminator. The data is sent in only one direction and as soon as it reaches the extreme end,
the terminator removes the data from the line.

Fig.- Bus Topology

Star Topology: Star topology is one of the most common network topology. In a star
topology, all hosts are connected to a central hub which acts as a conduit to transmit
messages. In star topology, every node is connected to a central hub. The switch is the server
and the peripherals are the clients.

HUB

Fig.- Star Topology

 Ring Topology: A ring topology is a network topology in which each node connects to
exactly two other nodes, forming a single continuous pathway for signals through each node
– a ring. Data travels from node to node, with each node along the way handling every
packet.

Fig.- Ring Topology

Mesh Topology: A mesh topology is a network topology in which each node relays data for
the network. All mesh nodes cooperate in the distribution of data in the network. It can be
applied to both wired and wireless networks.

Fig.- Mesh Topology

 Tree Topology: A tree topology is a network topology which is also known as the
hierarchical topology is the most common form of network topology in use presently. This
topology imitates as extended Star topology and inherits properties of bus topology. This
topology divides the network in to multiple levels/layers of network. In tree topology, all
neighbouring hosts have point-to-point connection between them. Similar to the Bus
topology, if the root goes down, then the entire network suffers even though it is not the
single point of failure. Every connection serves as point of failure, failing of which divides
the network into unreachable segment.

Fig.- Tree Topology

Hybrid Topology: A hybrid topology is a network topology which uses two or more other
network topologies such as bus topology, mesh topology, ring topology, star topology and
tree topology. A hybrid topology is always produced when two different basic network
topologies are connected.

Fig.- Mesh Topology

 Conclusion: Learning from the entire project we can say that, topologies are essence of
computer networks design. Efficient networks can only be built based on the complete
knowledge and understanding of above mentioned topologies. Optimum networks can be
built with understanding of computer network devices and how they are designed, any
mistake in choosing inappropriate techniques, devices etc. can only be the waste of time,
resources and efforts. Therefore, in today’s world people want their information to be shared,
sent and received quickly. Such network topologies and devices make it real and possible for
us.

Reference:

https://www.tutorialspoint.com/data_communication_computer_network/computer_net
work_topologies.htm

http://study.com/academy/lesson/types-of-networks-lan-wan-wlan-man-san-pan-epn-
vpn.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_topology

https://www.lifewire.com/lans-wans-and-other-area-networks-817376