Bus Topology in Computer Network

Various computer networks are installed with different arrangements according to the requirements of a peculiar environment. The way of network installment effects the communication between devices attached to the network. That is the main reason why different types of network topologies have been designed.

Network Topology is the physical layout or arrangement of connected devices in a network. This physical layout determines how the communication between computers is going to take place or when and how computers are transmitting or receiving data in the network.

Top 5 Types of network topologies

A computer network can be configured in multiple ways. Here are five types of network topologies for connecting computing devices over a network.

1. Bus Topology

2. Star Topology   Read: What is a Star Network Topology?

3. Ring Topology  Read: What is Ring Network Topology?
4. Tree Topology  Read: What is Tree Network Topology?

5. Mesh Topology Read: What is Mesh Network Topology in Computer Network?

All of these network topologies play a vital role in the establishment of a computer network; however, our current article's focus is bus topology.

1. Bus Topology in Computer Network

One of the most simplest and intelligible types of network topologies; bus topology, can support a small number of computers. Bus topology consists of a common communication medium to which all the network nodes i.e. computers; are connected. This medium is known as bus. This medium we call bus; has terminators at its both ends to absorb the signals.

Working of Bus Topology

When a computer that is connected to a bus topology wants to send the data to another computer, it sends the respective data along with the destination address through the bus. Each computer connected to the bus; checks the address until the computer with the matching address receives it. Computer keeps data if it identifies the sending address otherwise the data is further moved towards next computer.

Advantages of Bus Network Topology

Bus Topology in computer network is quite advantageous although it can sustain only a small number of computing devices. Here are some leading advantages we can obtain from a bus topology.

• Bus topology is Simple and easy to use

As it has been explained at the beginning of the article, bus topology is the simplest of all network topologies and is easy to use as well. Computers i.e. the network nodes are connected to a common medium which basically acts as a hub to convey data and information between them so using this type of network topology is not a sort of trouble.

• Bus topology requires small length of cable

As this type of arrangement of a computer network can link only a few computers, the extensive length of cable is not required. Due to the short length medium specification, computer networks with bus topology might be very affordable to establish.

• Failure of one node doesn't affect whole network

Bus topology is utilized at the places where networks need to be established for small business or in a computer lab where all computers are attached to a common communication medium called bus. One of the dominant advantages of bus network topology is that the failure of one computer in the network cannot upset the entire network system. Thus other network nodes can continue their work without getting interrupted.

Disadvantages of Bus Topology

It’s a fact; every good thing is somehow detrimental. Here we mention some major disadvantages of bus topology.

• Difficult to troubleshoot

Though, for small computer networks; we cannot find any other network topology reliable more than bus topology, still it is a considerable fact that bus topology is very difficult to troubleshoot.

• Bus topology supports small number of computers

Though the person who wants to set up a small computer network, would definitely find this bus topology in computer network favorable and desirable, however, large organizations and industries won't prefer using a bus topology for establishing computer networks as it can support only small number of computers in a network.

• Increasing nodes can slow down network speed

Bus topology cannot tolerate large number of computers in the network. The networking speed will get slow down if number of computers increases.