Explain different types of LAN topologies.
What is LAN
Local Area Network (LAN):- It is a network of computers that operates in a very small geographic area up to 5-6 kilometers. It connects devices in a single office, building or campus. A Local Area Network (LAN) is used to interconnect computers and other networked devices, allowing them to communicate and share resources. Cables Like twisted-pair, coaxial or fibre-optic are used as a communication medium.
Types of LAN Topologies
- Star Topology
- Ring Topology
- Bus Topology
Star Topology:-
In this network, all the nodes are connected to a central node. The devices are not connected to each other. Instead, they transmit messages to the central node, which relays the message to the desired destination. This topology is the most widely used for local area networks (LANs).
Ring Topology:-
In this network, the nodes are interconnected to form a closed loop. Each node communicates with its adjacent nodes by passing tokens of information. It eliminates the connection of the node with the central node. Nodes with tokens are authorized to transmit data, eliminating the need for a central node or network server to control the other devices.
Bus Topology:-
In this network, all the nodes, including computers and servers, are connected to a single cable called a bus. This network is simpler and more cost-effective than other networks. The source node transmits a signal which is broadcast to all the other nodes via the bus cable. Although the message is broadcast, the intended recipient receives the signal. The recipient can accept the signal if its MAC Address or IP Address matches, and data transmission occurs in a single direction.
Mesh Topology
The mesh topology is a fully connected network where each device is connected to every other device in the network. This topology provides redundancy and fault tolerance since there are multiple paths for data to travel. It is highly scalable and offers excellent performance but can be expensive to implement due to the many connections required.
Types of Mesh Topology
Full Mesh Topology: In a full mesh topology, every device in the network is connected to every other device directly. This means that the number of links in a full mesh network equals the square of the number of devices, resulting in a dense and highly interconnected network.
Partial Mesh Topology: In a partial mesh topology, only some devices in the network are connected to every other device. The remaining devices are connected to a subset of devices, forming a partially connected network. This reduces the number of required connections compared to a full mesh topology.
Write a short note on the repeater and switches.
A repeater is an electronic device that regenerates transmissions by amplifying them and then retransmitting signals in the same form they were received. It increases signal strength, allowing data to travel longer distances, thus providing a wider coverage area. In addition to improving radio and wireless communications, repeaters are also used for Ethernet networks such as Wi-Fi and mobile data installations.
Switch
A switch is a network bridge that can join multiple computers on a network within a single broadcast domain. It performs various essential functions, including enabling or disabling multicast or broadcast support to control the transmission of data packets, forwarding or filtering packets based on MAC addresses, and configuring connection speeds for both full-duplex and half-duplex communication.
