Ring Topology in Cisco Packet Tracer
Network Topology:
Network topology is the arrangement of the various elements (links, nodes, etc.) of a
computer network.
Essentially, it is the topological [3] structure of a network, and may be depicted physically
or logically.
Physical topology refers to the placement of the network's various components, including
device location and cable installation, while logical topology shows how data flows within
a network, regardless of its physical design. Distances between nodes, phys
ical
interconnections, transmission rates, and/or signal types may differ between two networks,
yet their topologies may be identical.
A good example is a local area network (LAN): Any given node in the LAN has one or
more physical links to other devices i
n the network; graphically mapping these links
results in a geometric shape that can be used to describe the physical topology of the
network. Conversely, mapping the data flow between the components determines the
logical topology of the network.
There ar
e two basic categories of network topologies:
1 .
Physical topologies
2. Logical topologies
The shape of the cabling layout used to link devices is called the physical topology of the
network. This refers to the layout of cabling, the locations of nodes,
and the
interconnections between the nodes and the cabling.
The physical topology of a network is determined by the capabilities of the network access
devices and media, the level of control or fault tolerance desired, and the cost associated
with cabling
or telecommunications circuits.
The logical topology, in contrast, is the way that the signals act on the network media, or
the way that the data passes through the network from one device to the next without
regard to the physical interconnection of the
devices.
A network's logical topology is not necessarily the same as its physical topology. For
example, the original twisted pair Ethernet using repeater hubs was a logical bus topology
with a physical star topology layout. Token Ring is a logical ring t
opology, but is wired a
physical star from the Media Access Unit.
The logical classification of network topologies generally follows the same classifications
as those in the physical classifications of network topologies but describes the path that the
data takes between nodes being used as opposed to the actual physical connections
between nodes. The logical topologies are generally determined by network protocols as
opposed to being determined by the physical layout of cables, wires, and network device
s
or by the flow of the electrical signals, although in many cases the paths that the electrical
signals take between nodes may closely match the logical flow of data, hence the
convention of using the terms logical topology and signal topology interchangeably.
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Logical topologies are often closely associated with Media Access Control methods and
protocols. Logical topologies are able to be dynamically reconfigured by special types of
equipment such as routers and switches.
The study of network topology recognizes eight basic topologies :
-
Point
-
to
-
point Topology
-
Bus Topology
-
Star Topology
-
Ring or circular Topology
-
Mesh Topology
-
Tree Topology
-
Hybrid Topology
-
Daisy chain Topology
Ring network topology
A network topology that is set up in a circular fashion in which data travels around the ring
in one direction and each device on the ring acts a
s a repeater to keep the signal strong as it
travels.
Each device incorporates a receiver for the incoming signal and a transmitter to send the
data on to the next device in the ring.
The network is dependent on the ability of the signal to travel around
the ring. When a
device sends data, it must travel through each device on the ring until it reaches its
destination. Every node is a critical link.