Network Topology Comparison
Information
Transfer
Topology
Star Bus
Each computer
connects to a central
connection device.
Bus
Single cable connects
everything.
Ring
Single cable configured
in a ring.
Hybrid Mesh
Combines two or more
different structures.
All information
passes through the
central network
connection.
One computer at a
time sends
information.
Information goes
along the cable and
the computer
accesses the
information off the
cable.
Information goes in
one direction around
the ring and passes
along the ring until it
reaches the correct
computer.
Often used across
long distances.
Information transfer
can happen in
different ways,
depending on the
other topologies.
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Setup
Each computer must
be close to the
central device.
100 meters
maximum cable
length.
Up to 24 computers
per network.
Connect the cable
from one computer
to the next and so on
to the end. A
terminator is placed
at each end of the
network.
Computers are
located close to each
other.
Setup is easy.
There is no
connector.
The ring has no
beginning and no
end.
Often created when
expanding an
existing network.
Can use a variety of
connection devices.
Expansion
Troubleshooting
Cost
Add a new computer
by plugging in a new
cable from the
computer to the
connection device.
When one computer
goes down, the rest
of the network is
unaffected. If the
connection device
goes down, then the
network is down.
More expensive of
the simple
topologies, it
requires costly
connection device.
Usually cheaper than
a hybrid network.
Uses twisted pair
cable.
Requires large
amounts of cable.
No more than 100
meters from the
computer to the
connection device.
A cheaper network
since there is usually
one continuous
copper cable.
Single continuous
cable connects the
devices.
Terminator is
required at each end
of the cable.
Uses coaxial or
twisted pair cabling.
One of the more
expensive topologies
due to high cable
costs.
Requires more
cabling than other
topologies. Uses
twisted pair.
To add a computer,
you must shut down
the network and
disconnect the cable
from the existing
computers.
Cable between the
computers must be
broken to add a new
computer, so the
network is down until
the new device is
back online.
Connection devices
make combining
different networks
and different
topologies easy.
If one computer
malfunctions, the
entire network goes
down.
If there's a break in
the cable or an error
in the network,
information
continues to transfer
through the rest of
the ring until
reaching the point of
the break. This
makes
troubleshooting
easy.
Troubleshooting is
most difficult in this
topology because of
the variety of
technologies.
Expensive, large,
and usually
complicated.
Cabling Concerns
Cabling depends on
the types of
networks.
Can use twisted pair
and coaxial cable.
Also incorporates
fiber optic cabling
over long distances.
Ring Network Topology
Bus Network Topology
Star Network Topology
Mesh Network Topology
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Tree Network Topology
Extranet
An intranet that allows customers, vendors or other partners to access resources or information is called an extranet. Most companies
extend their intranets into extranets when they see the benefits of giving customers and vendors quick access to current information.
For example, companies that once relied on regular mail-outs can now make the same information available via an extranet to save
printing and postage costs.
What is Extranet?
is an intranet for outside authorized users using same internet technologies. The
outside users are trusted partners of the organization who have access to
information of their interest & concern.
It extends the intranet concept to provide a network that connects a company‟s
network to the networks of its business partners, selected customers, or suppliers.
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How it is different from Intranets?
Intranets differ from extranet in that the former are generally restricted to employees of the organization while extranets may also be
accessed by customers, suppliers, or other approved parties. Extranets extend a private network onto the Internet with special
provisions for access, authorization and authentication.
Types of Extranet
Public Network Extranet
Exists when an organization allows the public to access its intranet from any public network. Security is an issue in this
configuration, because a public network does not provide any security protection.
Private Network Extranet
Is a private, leased-line connection bet. Two companies that physically connects their intranets to one another. The single
advantage of this is Security. The single largest drawback is Cost.
Virtual Private Network (VPN) [Will shortly discuss this is detail]
Is a network that uses public networks and their protocols to send sensitive data to partners, customers, suppliers, and
employees by using system called “tunneling”. Tunnels are private passage ways through the public internet that provide secure
Companies can use an extranet to:
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Exchange large volumes of data using Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)
Share product catalogs exclusively with wholesalers or those "in the trade"
Collaborate with other companies on joint development efforts.
Jointly develop and use training programs with other companies.
Provide or access services provided by one company to a group of other companies, such as an online banking application
managed by one company on behalf of affiliated banks
Share news of common interest exclusively with partner companies
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Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Some example uses for a VPN network include:
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Access your computers, servers and files in your
office from your home
Connect 2 or more remote offices together to
make it appear they are all on the same
computer network. You'll have access to all files
stored on a server, access to all printers, etc.. It
will seem like all remote offices are in the same
building. Employees will have access to all
resources on the computer networks of all
offices setup in your VPN.
Work from a public hotspot, like at an internet
cafe, and still have access to your files,
computers and servers in your office.
While on vacation or off-island you can have access to your files, computers and servers from anywhere in the world
If you have a dialup internet account, you can use your computer/laptop from a remote location to connect to your office using
the public telephone network.
Work from home using your DSL or broadband connection while still having access to your office computer network.
A well-designed VPN can greatly benefit a company.
For example, it can:
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Extend geographic connectivity
Improve security
Reduce operational costs versus traditional WAN
Reduce transit time and transportation costs for remote users
Improve productivity
Simplify network topology
Provide global networking opportunities
Provide telecommuter support
Provide broadband networking compatibility
Provide faster ROI (return on investment) than traditional WAN
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What is Intranet?
The term Intranet is derived from two words: „Intra‟ which means within and „net‟ which means group of interconnected computers.
is a private computer network that uses Internet protocols and network connectivity to securely share any part of an organization's
information or operational systems with its employees.
In short, an intranet is private network, similar to the Internet and using the same protocols and technology, contained within an
enterprise or not-for-profit organization.
How it is different from Internet?
The technologies used in Intranet and Internet may be same but the main difference between them is that the information shared in
intranet can be access only by authorized persons especially members or employees of the organization or company where as in
internet the information is shared world wide with any public user to explain in simple terms, intranet is private, within the organization
while internet is public available for global access requirement. Thus, Intranet is like a private Internet.
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Benefits of intranets
Workforce productivity:
Intranets can help users to locate and view information faster and use app. relevant to their roles and responsibilities. With
the help of a web browser interface, users can access data held in any database the organization wants to make available, anytime and
- subject to security provisions – from anywhere within the company workstations, increasing employees' ability to perform their jobs
faster, more accurately, and with confidence that they have the right information. It also helps to improve the services provided to the
users.
Time:
With intranets, organizations can make more information available to employees on a "pull" basis (i.e., employees can link
to relevant information at a time which suits them) rather than being deluged indiscriminately by emails.
Communication:
Intranets can serve as powerful tools for communication within an organization, vertically and horizontally. From a
communications standpoint, intranets are useful to communicate strategic initiatives that have a global reach throughout the
organization. The type of information that can easily be conveyed is the purpose of the initiative and what the initiative is aiming to
achieve, who is driving the initiative, results achieved to date, and who to speak to for more information. By providing this information on
the intranet, staff has the opportunity to keep up-to-date with the strategic focus of the organization.
Cost-effective:
Most organizations have already established TCP/IP networks, and the incremental infrastructure cost of adding Web
servers to the network is well within even departmental-level budgets. Users can view information and data via web-browser rather than
maintaining physical documents such as procedure manuals, internal phone list and requisition forms.
Low maintenance
With information residing in only one place - the Web server - it is relatively easy and affordable to add new information or
to update existing information and make it instantly available.
WLANs (Wireless local area networks) using spread spectrum transmission
Spread spectrum is a form of wireless communications in which the frequency of the transmitted signal is deliberately varied. This
results in a much greater bandwidth than the signal would have if its frequency were not varied.
Wireless Networking: What is it?
To loosely define the term wireless networking is to say that it is any connection between two points for the purpose of transmitting
information without any physical connection, i.e. fiber optics, copper wires, phone lines, etc.
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