NAME ………………………………………….

MOSES TANAKA

SURNAME ………………………………………CHIPANDA

REG NUMBER …………………………………..M192246

DEPARTMENT ………………………………….INFORMATION SYSTEMS

LEVEL …………………………………………... 2.1

COURSE CODE ………………………………….IS202

MODULE ………………………………………...DATA COMMUNICATIONS AND COMPUTER

NETWORKS

LECTURER ………………………………………MS L WINJI

QUESTION………………………………………..ASSIGNMENT HOMEWORK 1
a) TYPES OF NETWORK TOPOLOGIES

BUS TOPOPLOGY

It consists of a main run of cable a backbone like with a terminator at each end. The entire network will
be brought down by the single cable break. All nodes for file server, workstation is connected to the linear
cable. All the nodes are connected by one cable. Data is transmitted in one direction in bus topology.

DIAGRAM

Nodes cable

Workstations fileserver

Advantages

If one station breaks down others will remain functional

All computers have processing and storage capabilities

Easy to add a station without disrupting the network

Requires less cable

Suitable for networks

Easy to implement and handle

Much cheap to insert

Disadvantages

Numbers of stations are limited due to the use of one cable.

Slow in transferring data

All computers cannot send data at the same time

Failure of the cable affects the whole system.

This network topology can perform well only for a limited number of nodes.

STAR TOPOLOGY

In star topology each node is connected to a central device called a hub. The serve manages all other
terminals on the network. The hub takes the signal that comes from any node and passes it along to all the
other nodes in the network. Data on a star network passes through the hub, switch or concentrator before
continuing to its destination. The hub controls all the functions of the network.

DIAGRAM
Workstations hub cable

Advantages

If one terminal breaks down the network is not disrupted

Very cheap to install

Management of data is easy as it done centrally

It is very fast to process data

Easy to add another work station without disrupting the system

Easy to detects faults and remove parts

No collision of data since each terminal has its own cable

Disadvantages

Can be slower if overloaded

Expensive since it requires a lot of cables

If the hub or the concentrator fails the system fails

RING TOPOLOGY
Every device on ring topology has two neighbors for communication purposes and all the messages travel
through a ring in the same direction. Computers are connected to form a circle and a uses a token when
transferring data. Only a computer with the token can transmit.

DIAGRAM PRINTER WORKSTATION

WORKSTATION

WORKSTATION

Advantages

It is easy to manage than bus topology

Good communication over long distance

Handles high volume of traffic

Very easy to detect an error and solve it

Uses a token to avoid data collisions or loss

Disadvantages

Failure of a single node in the network affects the entire network

Any changes made to the network nodes affect the performance of the entire network

If one station breaks down the system is disrupted

Difficult to link the computers together

Only the computer with the token is allowed to send data at a time
MESH TOPOLOGY

In this topology each node is connected to every other node in the network. This implement that the mesh
topology is expensive and difficult. It’s a network in which each computer serves as a relay point for
directly sending information to any other computers on the network. No central device oversees a mesh
network, and no set rout is used to pass data back and forth between computers.

Device1 device2

DIAGRAM

Device 3 Device 4

Advantages

If one computer breaks down others will remain functional

If one computer breaks down the network is not disturbed

Computers have their own storage and processing capabilities

Point to point links make fault identification easy

Disadvantages

Expensive to buy computers with their storage and processing facilities

Too much cabling is involved which maybe expensive

There is mesh of writing which can be difficult to manage

TREE TOPOLOGY

The tree topology has individual peripheral nodes which are require to transmit to and receive from one
other only and are not required to act as repeaters. A tree topology can be viewed as a collection of star
network arranged in a hierarchy. The tree topology arranges links and nodes into distinct hierarchies in
order to allow greater control and easier trouble shooting.

DIAGRAM ROOT NODE

DEVICE 1 DEVICE2

DEVICE 3 DEVICE 4 DEVICE 5 DEVICE 6

Features of tree topology

Mostly used in WAN

Most suitable if workstations are located in groups

Advantages

Point to point wiring for individual segments

Supported by several hardware and software vendors

Easy to expand
Disadvantages

More difficult to configure and wire

If the backbone line breaks, the entire segment goes down

Expensive to install and maintain

HYBRID TOPOLOGY

This is a combination of two or more network topologies. It this a mixture of any of the above network
topologies.

Advantages

It is reliable

It is extremely flexible

Disadvantages

Expensive to install and maintain

b. Methods of minimizing collisions on each identified network topology

Collision is when two or more messages are sent at the same time from different hosts and they physically
collide on the network.

In bus topology collision can be prevented by the use of a switch. One of the unique things about a switch
is that it offers a guaranteed transmission path between transmission paths between any two devices.
When one device needs to sent the message using a switch, instead of the message being sent out to all
the devices, with the switch the message directly to the destination.

The other thing which has to be done to avoid collisions in a network system is to remove all the hubs.
Nodes are simply a source of problems and nothing more. When a frame enters a hub, it will exit out all
ports, creating unnecessary traffic on your network, whereas a switch will only send the frame out of the
correct port.

In a bus topology data collision can be minimized by the use o the token, which is used to transport data
or file from one station to another at a time. Only the station with the token is allowed to send a message
and has access to the cable.
I star topology a switch can introduced at its center hence all data transmitted from a single device on the
network should go through the switch and sent to its destination.

In ring topology introduction of a second cable can minimize data collision in the network system.
Introduction of the second cable allows the stations to receive and send data at the same time. The
introduction of the second cable will always allow different stations to send and receive data at the same
time as I station A can send data through cable 1 and station B can always send data through cable 2 at
the same time thereby minimizing data collision.

To reduce the data collision, I mesh topology there is the use of the switch that will provide a single
collision domain instead of using hubs. The switch will allow one station to sent data in the network at a
time and will allow the destination to receive the data thereby reducing data collision. Network cables
must be directly dedicated to the destination node. And these nodes should be physically put in an orderly
hierarchy so that the data will be directly distributed to the target node and avoid data loss and corruption.

C. Network devices used in both LAN and WAN

Networking devices these are electronic devices which are used in for communication and interaction
between stations on a computer network system. These devices allow sharing of data and files among
networked computers.

LAN stands for local area network. It is a privately owned connection of computers on a very small
geographical area for sharing of data and files by users of the network, for example, within an single
room. Usually connected uses cables of radio connections.

WAN refers to connection of computers over a very large geographical area and may cover the whole
world. Computers are usually linked together using fiber optical cables, satellite links, telephone lines etc.

Network interface card-each computer on the network must have this as it allows computers to be linked
and to be uniquely identified on the network

Routers-this is a network device that connect different types of networks together. It can route packets of
the same protocol for example TCP over networks with dissimilar architecture. It receives transmitted
messages and forwards them to their correct destinations over the most efficient available route.
Gateway-a device used to connect different kinds of networks. They act as link to different WANs. A get
way is a device that connects networks with different architectures and different protocol. The get way
translates the data into the new format and sends it on using the networking protocol of the destination
system.

Modem (Modulator Demodulator)-this is a device that’s converts digital signal received from a computer
into analogue signal that can be sent along ordinary telephones lines, and back to digital to the receiving
end. Modems are used to connect to the internet using the ordinary telephone line. The speed of modems
is measured in bits per second.

A hub is a common connection point for devices in a network and is commonly used to connect segments
of a LAN. It can be extended to the total distance of the network. The mainly problems with the hub is
that they cannot reduce data traffic and collision.