Learn network topologies including star, ring, bus, mesh, and hybrid with interactive network diagrams and performance comparisons.
All devices connect to a central hub or switch
In a star topology, all devices are connected to a central hub. Data passes through the hub to reach its destination.
Devices are connected in a circular fashion
In a ring topology, each device is connected to exactly two other devices, forming a circular data path.
All devices share a common communication line
In a bus topology, all devices are connected to a single communication line called the bus or backbone.
Every device is connected to every other device
In a mesh topology, every device has a dedicated point-to-point connection with every other device.
| Topology | Cost | Reliability | Performance | Scalability | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Star | |||||
| Ring | |||||
| Bus | |||||
| Mesh |