A hybrid topology, as the name suggests, is an interconnection of two or more networks. The component networks may be ring, star, tree, mesh or any other, depending upon the requirement of a firm or institution. For example, in an institution, if there is a ring topology in one department, bus topology in the next department, star topology in another department and so on, all the departments can connect to each other through a bus topology that connects the ring, bus and star topologies of each department to each other. Such a topology that consists of more than one type of individual topologies is known as hybrid topology.

Hybrid topology

Advantages of hybrid topology

• The benefits of several different types of topologies can be combined into one.

Disadvantages of hybrid topology

• Comparatively expensive than other topologies.

A ring topology consists of network of computers in which each node connects to exactly two other nodes.This forms a single continuous path for the flow of signals through each nodes of the network. Data travels from node to node, with each node along the way handling every packet. Each of the nodes in the ring topology are connected to each other through only one pathway, so the failure of only one link disrupts the whole network.
To overcome this fallacy, the data in a ring topology is transmitted both clockwise and counter clockwise, so that if there is single break of the cable, all the nodes on both sides can be reached.

Ring Topology

 Advantages of Ring Topology

• It is an orderly network in which all the nodes in the network have equal access to all the resources.
• Its performance is far better compared to star topology under heavy network.
• It does not need network servers to manage the connections.

Disadvantages of Ring Topology

• If one of the workstations fails to operate, it may lead to the unusability of the whole network.
• Addition and removal of devices in the network can affect the entire network.
• Ring network is slower than  the Ethernet network.

 

Bus topology

A bus topology uses a single cable to connect all the devices used in the network. The single cable forms the backbone of the communication medium in which the devices are attached. To establish a communication, a signal originating from the source travels in both directions to all the machines connected on the bus cable until it finds the address of the device to which the data is to be delivered. If the destination device finds that the data is for its own address, then only it accepts the data. The topology consists of terminators at both ends so that the data does not continue bouncing to and fro.

Advantages of bus topology:

• If one of the station fails to operate, it does not affect the operation of other stations.
• It can be a good replacement against other topologies.
• It is very suitable for such networks which are more or less temporary and which are needed immediately.
• It is easy to implement and extend.

Disadvantages of bus topology: 

• Data collision may occur when two or more nodes are transmitting the data at the same time.
• It is not suitable if the traffic rates in the network is heavy.
• It is very difficult to manage and troubleshoot a bus topology.
• A fault in the cable may disable the whole network and it would be very difficult to find that fault.
• Maintenance cost can increase unexpectedly at the long run.
• Performance of the network is degraded when more computers are added to the network.

Bus topology

A network topology refers to the interconnection of various nodes of a computer network. In other words, it defines the layout of the various devices that are part of the computer network.Topology is the virtual "shape" of the network, but it may not actually represent the actual physical design of the network that the various devices are connected to each other.
There are two types of network topologies: physical and logical.

A physical topology refers to the physical design of the computer network that includes the computers and other devices, their location and the various cables installed in the network.

A logical topology means the mode of flow of data in the network in contrast to its physical arrangement.

There are mainly six types of network topologies listed as under:

• bus
• star
• ring
• tree
• mesh
• hybrid