Network Topologies
By Joshua W - Crowley
Bus Network
A bus network is a network topology in which cables are directly connected to a common linear half-duplex link called a bus. A host on a bus network is called a station or workstation. In a bus network, every station receives all network traffic, and the traffic generated by each station has equal transmission priority. A bus network forms a single network segment and collision domain.
Ring Network
A ring network is a network in which each cable connects to exactly two other cables, forming a single continuous pathway for signals through each cable - a ring. Data travel from cable to cable, with each cable along the way handling every packet.
Star Network
Star networks are one of the most common computer network topologies. In its simplest form, a star network consists of one central switch, hub or computer, which acts as a conduit to transmit messages. This consists of a central cable, to which all other cables are connected; this central cables provides a common connection point for all cables through a hub. In star topology, every cable is connected to a central node called a hub or switch.