Network Topology Comparisons
Point-to-point: two nodes, directly connected via one link
Pros: Simple and easy to set up, low maintenance
Cons: if one node fails, or the connection fails, there is no network
Example: My first job was at a small retail store chain. Each night, as part of closing
procedures, we would use a modem to dial in and connect to a server to upload the day’s
transactions. This was a point-to-point connection.
Bus: Connects multiple devices joined together in a series. Signals are sent to all nodes, but only
the intended recipient(s) accepts and processes the message.
Pros: Easy to install and inexpensive
Cons: Limited to a few number of nodes, single point of failure in the backbone cable
connecting the nodes
Example: Connecting two floors of a building’s phone system via a backbone cable
Ring: all network nodes are connected in a circle and act as repeaters for the signal
Pros: Easy to set up and troubleshoot (where did the signal stop)
Cons: A signal faulty node or cable will bring down the whole network
Example: Metro Area Networks often use fiber rings (1)
Star: Contains a central node (router or switch) that is connected to other nodes with a point-to-
point connection
Pros: Resilient, one downed node or cable only affects that node; scalable as the star can be
extended by connecting multiple control points
Cons: More expensive, can be complicated depending on the central node, a downed central
node takes down the network
Example: Most modern offices are star networks with a central core switch connecting to
network closets, which connect to individual nodes
Mesh: multiple point-to-point connections between some or all of the other nodes in the network
Pros: Very resilient, as signals encountering a broken connection can be rerouted through
another path
Cons: Expensive, can be difficult to configure and maintain
Example: The Internet is a massive mesh of network routers, switches, and servers
Industry Recommendation
I’ve helped build networks for new car dealership locations. They typically have a large closet
designated for a small server room and different areas or buildings for business-specific purposes:
Sales, Business Office, Service & Parts. To connect these, I recommend an extended star topology.
The server room contains servers for centralized network control and application servers. These
servers are connected to a core switch (central node). The core switch has point-to-point
connections to managed switches (central nodes) in each of the distributed areas. The managed
switches then have point-to-point ethernet connections to nodes (PCs, network printers, wireless
access points) in each of those areas.
This topology overcomes distance limitations for the nodes in outlying buildings to still reach core
resources. If a single (non-central) node or connection is down, it only affects that node and not the
entire network. Other areas of the dealership are not impacted by incidents that do not affect their
central node. The configuration is a common topology for businesses and is easily understood by
other technicians.
1. Roy, Jason. April 29, 2020. What is Ring
Topology? https://topologynetwork.com/what-is-ring-topology-definition-
examples-advantages-disadvantages/
