Both bus and star topologies have their own significance in the communicating networks. The crucial difference between bus and star topology is that bus topology uses a single cable through which various peripheral devices are connected. As against a star topology makes use of central hub or switch that broadcasts information to all the devices in the network.
Star Topology Network Design, Diagram and Description. Here is the Star Topology Layout Picture for proper understanding this concept. It is clearly evident from the diagram that this Type of Topology works by using a central device to which all other Nodes like Clients, Servers and other Network Nodes are connected. The crucial difference between bus and star topology is that bus topology uses a single cable through which various peripheral devices are connected. As against a star topology makes use of central hub or switch that broadcasts information to all the devices in the network.
Bus topology is quite easy to implement in a network. While star topology offers efficient operation.
What is Topology?
Topology is the physical arrangement of various peripheral devices in a network. Basically, we know that multiple devices are connected in a network. When we talk about the way in which various devices are connected, then we call it as network topology.
Bus topology is the most basic type of network topology. Whereas star topology is an advanced network orientation.
In this article, we will discuss the differentiating factors between bus and star topology. But first, look the contents that we are going to discuss here.
Content: Bus Vs Star Topology
Comparison Chart
Basis for Comparison | Bus Topology | Star Topology |
---|---|---|
Fundamental Element | Cable | Hub or switch |
Speed of data transfer | Slow | Comparatively fast |
Network orientation | Linear | Non-linear |
Cost | Low | Quite high |
Cabling requirement | Less | More |
Fault detection | Difficult | Comparatively easy |
Network Extension | This configuration permits addition of many devices. | Here the network permits limited addition of devices. |
Network Failure | Severe when common cable is hampered. | Severe when the hub malfunctions. |
Signal Transmission | Unidirectional | It is not unidirectional. |
Definition of Bus Topology
A network configuration in which multiple devices are connected one after the other in a linear manner to a common communication cable is known as bus configuration. The common cable or link can be either coaxial cable or twisted pair cable.
Motion 5.3.2 for macos. The figure below represents the bus topology: Pumori banking software.
The cable to which various nodes are connected is known as the backbone of the network. This cable serves as the most crucial element of the network, as if it fails then the complete network stops operating.
However, bus topology can be easily installed as a single link is required.
It is sometimes called line topology and is generally used in small areas. It does not offer secured communication as the signal is transmitted through a common cable and hence can be accessible to all the devices present in the network.
When a device in the network fails, then there is no effect on the other nodes of the network. However, if the cable itself gets failed, then the complete system gets shut down.
Definition of Star Topology
Star topology is a type of network configuration in which various physical devices are individually linked to the hub. This signifies that device in the network is connected separately to the hub, and there exists no direct interconnection between the multiple devices of the network.
The figure below represents star topology:
Devices in star network operate in a way that the central hub through which all the devices are connected broadcasts the data to the respective node from the respective node.
Thus, here the signal flow is centrally managed. This is the reason; the hub must be properly configured as any type of issues in the hub will cause, failure of the complete system.
Hence it offers flexibility of operation with other devices even when a single device of the network is faulty.
The whole network configuration resembles a star; thus, it is named so. However, its structure is quite complex, but it is preferred over bus topology due to the advantages associated with it.
Key Differences Between Bus and Star Topology
- The factor that majorly differentiates bus topology from that of star topology is that in bus topology the various devices are connected by a common link or cable and data is transmitted from one node to another through that common cable. While in star topology the multiple devices in the network are connected by the central hub, and it facilitates data sharing.
- When devices are connected in a bus configuration, so data is serially transmitted from one device to another. Thus the speed of data transmission is quite low. Whereas in a star configuration, the hub directly transmits data to the desired peripheral device; hence transmission is quite fast.
- When there is a need for a wide network, then bus topology is preferred. This is so because it supports easy addition of various devices in the network. While in star topology addition of devices is limited.
- The structure of the bus network is linear as various devices are connected through a straight cable. However, the orientation of the star network is non-linear.
- Only a single common cable is required in bus configuration for any number of devices. While in star network the cable requirement is comparatively more generally equal to the number of devices in the network.
- Star network is expensive in comparison to the bus network.
- Bus topology offers difficult troubleshooting because one has to check all the devices of the linear network to detect the fault. While in star topology fault detection is comparatively easy.
- In bus topology signal is transmitted unidirectionally from one end to another. However, star topology does not follow the same.
Star Topology Cost Chart
Conclusion
Hence from this discussion, we can conclude that bus is the traditional network orientation but suffers major drawbacks. However, the star is recent configuration but is more complex.
Related terms:
Run keygen in sandbox. Star and mesh topology are the types of the topologies where star topology comes under the peer-to-peer transmission and mesh topology works as a primary-secondary transmission. However, these topologies mainly differ in the physical and logical arrangement of the connected devices. The star topology organises the devices around the central controller known as the hub. On the other hand, the mesh topology connects each device to another device with a point-to-point link.
Content: Star Topology Vs Mesh Topology
Comparison Chart
Basis for comparison | Star Topology | Mesh Topology |
---|---|---|
Organisation | The peripheral nodes are connected to the central node(ex. hub, switch or router). | It contains at least two nodes with two or more paths between them. |
Installation and reconfiguration | Easier | Difficult |
Cost | Comparatively less | Expensive due to extensive cabling. |
Robustness | Intermediate | Highly robust |
Cabling requirements | Uses twisted pair cables which cover distance up to 100 meters. | Twisted pair, coaxial, fibre optic cable, any of the cable type can be used depending on the type of networks. |
Routing mechanism | All the information is routed from the central network connection. | Information is directly routed from one device to another. |
Complexity | Simple | Quite complex |
Scalability | Good | Poor |
Definition of Star Topology
The Star topology connects all of the end devices to a common central node directly. A central controller which is connected to all the other devices through point-to-point links is called a star coupler. It does not flow the traffic between the devices instead the star coupler acts as the mediator, for employing the exchange of the data. If a device wants to communicate or send data to another device, priorly it has to send data to the central controller. Then the central controller relays the data to the intended destination.
The central controller can work in two manners:
- In the first approach, it can broadcast the frames to the central node and then central node retransmit it on all the external links so that it can reach to the final node. In this scenario, the organisation of the network nodes looks like star physically, but these are connected in a bus topology, where all the other nodes receive the transmitted data.
- The second approach includes switching and routing functions where the central star coupler behaves as a frame-switching device. In this type, the central node buffers the arriving frame then retransmit it to the destination node.
The star topology enables the high-speed data transfer especially when the central controller is utilized as a switch. Here the number of links is equal to the number of nodes. This topology is flexible and maintained efficiently, as compared to other topologies.
Definition of Mesh Topology
Mesh topology links the node in a way that each node is linked to the other node by a dedicated point-to-point link. Therefore, it creates n(n-1)/2 links to connect n number of nodes, which is a bit too much. The form of media used to link the nodes can be twisted pair, coaxial, or optical fibre cable. This type of topology does not require any additional information about the packet such as the source address or destination address because two nodes are connected directly.
The flexibility of the mesh topology is very low and has a poor scalability factor. It requires laying of the links to add a new node so that the new node could be connected to each existing node. This is the reason it is very expensive topology.
Key Differences Between Star and Mesh Topology
- The Star topology organises the nodes in a star shape where the central hub is connected to all the other nodes. On the other hand, in the mesh configuration, each node is connected to the other node.
- Easy installation and reconfiguration is possible in the star topology. As against, the mesh topology requires more transmission media, effort and time for installation and reconfiguration.
- Star topology is cost-effective to some extent, while the mesh is expensive.
- The star topology has a drawback where the inoperative central hub can make the entire system inoperative. On the contrary, the mesh topology is more robust than the star topology.
- Star topology only uses twisted pair cable as a transmission media. In contrast, mesh topology can employ any transmission media such as twisted pair cable, coaxial cable or optical fibre, but it requires more amount of cabling.
- Flexibility and scalability of the star topology is good whereas mesh topology is less scalable as it directly increases the cost of the system.
- Mesh topology is complicated as compared to the star topology.
- The routing in the star topology is done with the help of the star coupler. Conversely, mesh topology directly transmits the data from one node to another using a point-to-point link.
Advantages of the Star Topology
- It reduces the transferring of the packets from the excessive number of nodes.
- The nodes are inherently isolated from each other.
- Central hub facilitates the easy addition of the new devices.
- It is easy to understand, install and navigate.
- Faulty parts can be easily detected and eliminated.
- It is interference free at the time of adding and removing devices.
Advantages of the Mesh Topology
- The node organisation in mesh topology helps in more than one transmission of data from one node to another node simultaneously.
- Provides privacy and security with the point-to-point links.
- It is robust, failure of one link does not affect the other system.
- Fault identification and isolation are also easy.
Disadvantages of the Star Topology
- The functioning of the system highly depends upon the central hub.
- Any lapse in the central hub can result in the inoperability of the entire system.
- Scalability relies on the capability of the central hub.
Disadvantages of the Mesh Topology
Star Topology Cost List
- This network configuration can create redundant network connections, as there are some connections which are useless.
- The overall cost of the topology is also increased because of an excessive amount of cabling and need of i/o ports.
- Wiring is complex.
Conclusion
Star Topology Cost
Star topology is efficient in terms of the cost while the mesh is a good option when the security and speed of the data transmission is the concern.