What is Star Topology?
In this article, our experts from Assignment Help will give you complete guidance on Star Topology. Star topology is also known as Star Network and it is most commonly used network setups. In Star topology, each node gets connected with a central network device which is known as a switch or a hub or computer. The central network device plays the role of a server. The clients are the peripheral devices attached to the central hub. The type of network card used in Star topology determines whether an RJ-45 network cable or coaxial cable would be used for connecting computers altogether in a common network. Star topology or Star network is network topology in which an individual piece of an entire network is connected to a central hub or node or switch.
The network plays a role which is quite an essential component which is usually represented in a star-like formation which makes the network to be termed as Star network or star topology. Star topology is either a passive or active network depending on the regeneration of data amplification of the central node. It also depends on the active control of the network on data transit. The network needs electrical power sources. Star topologies can be implemented with wireless routers, Ethernet cable structures or any other components. In the majority of the cases, the central hub or node is termed as the server and additional nodes are called the clients.
It is a topology for LAN or Local area network which helps the connection between central connection point or a switch or a hub and individual node in a network. A star-like formation results in which helps in assisting in case of cable failure. In a star topology, more cables are needed than that of bus topology.
Star topology has a specialized advantage because in the case of a star topology if any table fails only an individual node would be brought down keeping the entire network unaffected. The traffic from the central component or the hub of the star or the nodes attached to the central component can control the central site. The central hub is a self-contained computer which is fast and responsible for routing traffic to the other nodes. One of the most important benefits of a Star network or a star topology is that any kind of malfunctioning taking place in one of the nodes does not impact the other parts of the network.
But there can be certain failure tissues and bottlenecks at the central site. Bus topology is attached or combined with a star topology. In this case, the central sites get connected with the backbone of the bus and the total combination is referred to as a tree. Star topology helps in managing the network centrally with the support of central computer switch or hub. It is very easy to add any computer to the main network. If any computer working on the network fails to work, the other parts of the network do not get negatively affected and continue to operate normally.
But it has been observed that a star topology is highly expensive and it requires used investments in its implementation. On the other hand, it is expensive than using a router or a switch as the central network site. The central network device in the case of a star topology determines the entire performances of the nodes. It also determines the number of the nodes the network can manage.
In the case of a Star network or star topology, if the central computer or the switch or hub fails, the entire network can stop working and all the computers can get disconnected from the main network. Star topology or Star Network can put a limit on the implications of a single failure. In Star topology, a single unit can get isolated from the central hub. So, if any component goes down the entire network will not get affected and only the local reach of that particular unit will get affected. Star topology also provides the facilities of adding or eliminating individual component either to the network or from the network for a common reason.
Star topology or a Star Network is the fundamental implementation of the spoke-hub distribution paradigm taking place in computer networks. In this case, each host is attached to a central site or hub a star network or topology. Star topology is a simple form where the central hub plays the role of a central unit which conduits the transmission of messages. It is one of the commonly found computer network topologies. In a star topology which is used in a computer network. The host and the hub along with the transmission lines between them develop a graph with a topology very much similar to a star. The data on a star topology passes through the central hub before they continue to their destinations.
The tar topology controls and manages every function of the network. It acts as a repeater for the flow of the data. The star topology decreases the implications of a failure in the transmission line by enabling the independent connection between the hub and its hosts. Each host is capable of communicating with the others by transmitting to the hub or receiving from the hub. A failure in the transmission line which links the hub with the host can result in isolation of the host from the other parts of the network.
But the remaining network remains unaffected. The star configuration is very often used with optical fibre cable or twisted pair cable. Coaxial cable can also be used in the case of a star topology. One of the most effective benefits is that the connection does not get broken down if any single node fails. This helps the connection between the other computers to remain unaffected. The network does not need to be disturbed while adding for eliminating any device. The star topology works effectively even with a huge load. In case of a large network, a star topology is highly beneficial.
Star topology can be expensive because of the length and number of cables which are needed to wearing each host to get connected with the central hub. The central hub also sometimes poses a serious threat to the network when any single point of failure takes place. In a star topology, all the network nodes are connected to the central hub or computer individually forming a network topology.
The computer or the hub of the central switch acts like a centre point of communication which helps in the passage of the messages the hosts are the various nodes which are present in a star topology. The hub is the central point of communication which maintains the passage of the messages from one end of the network to the other end. Each computer or switch or host is connected to the central hub individually.
The host can be considered as the root of a tree and the peripheral hosts can be considered as the leaves of the same tree. In a star topology, the nodes can communicate with the central hub by making the passage of the message to the server which in turn forwards the message and circulates to different nodes. This topology takes the form of a star-like figure. The computers are connected to a central switch or hub which maintains a Content Addressable Memory table where the hardware is used to address all the connected or attached devices.
If a computer wants to communicate with another computer by sending a data packet, then the first computer can forward the message to the central hub or the switch from where the message gets transmitted to the destination computer and the message gets forwarded.
Different types of topologies
There are different types of topologies which are to be understood to understand the working of start topology and its structure. Extended star topology is another advanced network topology where are a central device which is also used as a switch is located in the middle of the entire network. In this case, the computers are connected to the ports of the central device, unlike normal star topology. Computers along with other peripherals are attached to the hubs or switches which forms the shape of a star and hence, it is known as an extended star topology.
We can also find a ring topology in which each station or computer is attached to another station for computer and again comes back to the initial computer or station which gives rise to a ring-like formation. In-ring topology, each computer is given the responsibility of retransmitting the message for communication. The communication messages travel in a single direction and a circular formation. Therefore, terminators are not needed in the case of ring topology. The terminators are not needed because of the circular formation of the network.
Bus topology is another structure where a single cable segment gets connected to every computer or devices in a common straight line. The computers in a bus topology share the common cable segment and there is a need for terminator. The signals are supposed to be observed by the end of the bus so that the network can be made free for new and fresh communications.
Bus topology is an inexpensive topology as compared to that of star topology. It does not need huge investments in its installation but all the devices in a bus topology share the common cable which makes the communication speed go lower. On the other hand, tree topology is another extension which is comparatively less complex than a bus topology. In the case of a tree topology the branching cable which is found without any closed loops play the role of transmission media. The layout of a tree initiates at head end where a single or multiple cables comments with or without branches.
The branches can also have some more additional branches which are helpful in complex layouts. One of the biggest disadvantages of a tree topology is that if the main “backbone” cable of the bus topology breaks, the entire network will be affected adversely. Mesh topology is another network where each device is connected to each of the other devices in a specified network. The mesh topology is used in connecting several local area networks or LANs to form a technology based on WAN. The internet can be cited as one of the best examples of a mesh topology. In a mesh topology, there are several devices which are attached forming different alternate routes to increase fault tolerance. But troubleshooting and managing the architecture of mesh topology is quite expensive please and difficult. Now our Instant Assignment expert will tell you about the advantages of star topology.
Advantages of Star Topology
Star topology has certain advantages for which it is commonly used with the help of star topology the entire network remains unaffected when anyone cable goes down. In a star topology or star network, there is a central switch which helps in locating and troubleshooting any area with problems. Firstly, in the case of a star topology or star network, isolation of devices has been one of the major advantages. In a star topology, there is a link which isolates the devices and because of this isolation, the individual devices become quite simplified.
The isolation also helps in preventing non-centralised failure and negative impacts on the network. Cable failure can isolate the entire workstation which is linked to the central computer but because of this isolation the particular workstation will get isolated and the other workstations will retain their continuity and working. Secondly, star topology is quite simple and easy to establish, understand, and navigate. It does not need any complex routing or protocols for passing the messages. Thirdly, in the case of a star topology, if any particular cable stops working, the entire network does not get negatively affected because there is a separate connection between each device and the network.
Therefore, if any particular cable stops working the entire network does not get affected. In a star topology, where limited numbers of devices are used the rate of data will be much higher and it is highly helpful in passing the messages in a short distance. In a star topology, the analysts can recruit a new device or computer to the network and the other nodes can be kept uninterrupted. For more information, you can also check with Dissertation Writing Services UK.