LESSON RECAP

Give the answer to the following recall questions:

1. What is a network?

2. What do LAN and WAN stand for?

3. What does NIC stand for?

4. What is the difference between a switch and a router?

5. Give one advantage and one disadvantage of a wireless network.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the session, learners are expected to:

a. Describe the different network topologies and their strengths and weaknesses.

What is TOPOLOGY?

Topology is the Layout of a Network

Strengths

If a device fails, the rest of the network is unaffected. 

Its easy to add more devices to the network.

Weaknesses

A server or a switch failure causes the whole network to break down.

Uses a lot of cabling, so it’s expensive.

Mesh Network Topology

In a mesh network, all devices are directly connected to one-another. 

Strengths

Data can be sent along multiple routes from one device to another so it can avoid slow or busy routes.

If one device fails, data can usually be sent along another route.

Weaknesses

Wired mesh networks need a lot of cabling so can be expensive.

Bus Network Topology

In a bus network, all devices are connected to a ‘backbone’ cable.

Strengths

If a device fails, the rest of the network is unaffected.

Cheap because there’s not much cable needed. 

Weaknesses

Data collisions can slow the network down.

If the backbone cable breaks, the whole network fails. 

Ring Network Topology

In a ring network, all devices are linked in a ring. 

Strengths

Data flows in one direction only meaning data collisions are less likely.

Weaknesses

If the cable breaks or a device breaks the whole network fails.