Mesh Topology | Fully Connected Mesh Topology | Partially Connected Mesh Topology | Working of Mesh Topology

Introduction of Topology

Physical or Logical layout of structure called topology, in which all nodes are connected. Network topology is the arrangement of the elements of a communication network. The physical topology of LAN refers to the way in which the stations are physically interconnected. Each topology has its own strengths and weakness.

Feature of network topology: 1. The topology should be flexible. You can increase or decrease number of nodes in topology. 2. The cost of physical media and installation should be minimum. 3. The network should not have any single point of complete failures.

Types of Topologies

There are 5 types of topologies in computer network:

Mesh Topology

Mesh topology is divided into two categories: Fully connected mesh topology and Partially connected mesh topology

Fully Connected Mesh

In a full mesh topology, every computer in the network has a connection to each of the other computers in that network.

Figure: Fully Connected Mesh Topology

The number of connections in this network can be calculated using the following formula (n is the number of computers in the network):  n*(n-1)/2

Figure: Fully Connected Mesh Animation

A mesh topology is a network topology in which all the network nodes are individually connected to most of the other nodes. There is not a concept of a central switch, hub or computer. Most mesh topology networks are not true mesh.

Partially Connected Mesh

In a partially connected mesh topology, at least one/two of the computers in the network have connections to multiple other computers in that network.

Figure: Partially Connected Mesh Topology

It is less expensive in compare to fully connected mesh and also implement redundancy in a network.

Figure: Paritally Connected Mesh Animation

In the event that one of the primary computers or connections in the network fails, the rest of the network continues to operate normally. Also, there is no any central device like hub/switch in partially connected mesh topology.

 

Advantages

A fault is diagnosed easily

Failure link cannot stop data transmission from sender to receiver.

Data transmission speed is too high.

Disadvantages

Building and maintaining the topology is difficult and time consuming.

Cost of very high in compare to other topologies.

More difficult to install as the number of devices increase.

 Most of bandwidth are wasted.