Description, advantages and disadvantages of Bus Topology
Bus topology uses the single communication line called
backbone which is shared by all the nodes or computers to communicate.
It is used for smaller networks mainly and is one of the most simplest
and reliable ways to communicate.
Each node or workstation is connected along the single
communication line cable (usually co-axial cable), data to be
transmitted is sent along the communication line or bus. Data packet
contains the information like source and the destination address which
determine the node that receives the data. The data signal flows from
one end to the other end of the communication bus. There are
terminators at the two ends of the communication bus.
Bus topology is passive in a sense that nodes only lookout for a signal and does not in any way facilitate signal transmission.
Bus topology is passive in a sense that nodes only lookout for a signal and does not in any way facilitate signal transmission.
Advantages of Bus Topology:
- Quite easy to implement and can be extended by adding other peripherals.
- Cost efficient as less cable length is required.
- Suitable for smaller networks.
- Even if one node breaks down network doesn’t get hampered..
- Nodes or workstation can be easily taken out at will from the network.
Disadvantages of Bus Topology
- Within a given cable length limited number of nodes can be added.
- If there is a problem with a network then the entire network breaks down.
- Data transfer rate slows down if more nodes are added.
- Only one data packet can be transferred at a particular moment, when two signals are added on communication bus then the collision occurs between both of them.
