State the difference between star and bus topology

Computer NetworkInternetMCA

Table of Contents Show

Comparison Chart
Definition of Bus Topology
Definition of Star Topology
Difference between the Bus topology and Star topology
Bus Topology:
Star Topology:
Following are the comparisons between the Bus and Star topology
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Star Network
Bus Network

Comparison Chart
Definition
Key Differences
Conclusion

Comparison Chart

Basis for ComparisonBus TopologyStar Topology

Fundamental Element	Cable	Hub or switch
Speed of data transfer	Slow	Comparatively fast
Network orientation	Linear	Non-linear
Cost	Low	Quite high
Cabling requirement	Less	More
Fault detection	Difficult	Comparatively easy
Network Extension	This configuration permits addition of many devices.	Here the network permits limited addition of devices.
Network Failure	Severe when common cable is hampered.	Severe when the hub malfunctions.
Signal Transmission	Unidirectional	It is not unidirectional.

Definition of Bus Topology

A network configuration in which multiple devices are connected one after the other in a linear manner to a common communication cable is known as bus configuration. The common cable or link can be either coaxial cable or twisted pair cable. The figure below represents the bus topology:

The cable to which various nodes are connected is known as the backbone of the network. This cable serves as the most crucial element of the network, as if it fails then the complete network stops operating. However, bus topology can be easily installed as a single link is required.

It is sometimes called line topology and is generally used in small areas. It does not offer secured communication as the signal is transmitted through a common cable and hence can be accessible to all the devices present in the network. When a device in the network fails, then there is no effect on the other nodes of the network. However, if the cable itself gets failed, then the complete system gets shut down.

Definition of Star Topology

Star topology is a type of network configuration in which various physical devices are individually linked to the hub. This signifies that the device in the network is connected separately to the hub, and there exists no direct interconnection between the multiple devices of the network.

The figure below represents star topology:

Devices in a star network operate in a way that the central hub through which all the devices are connected broadcasts the data to the respective node from the respective node. Thus, here the signal flow is centrally managed.

This is the reason; the hub must be properly configured as any type of issue in the hub will cause, failure of the complete system. Hence it offers the flexibility of operation with other devices even when a single device of the network is faulty. The whole network configuration resembles a star; thus, it is named so. However, its structure is quite complex, but it is preferred over bus topology due to the advantages associated with it.

Difference between the Bus topology and Star topology

This article will discuss the differences between the bus and star topology in detail. In the beginning, we will learn the meanings of bus and star topology. After that, we will learn some of the differences between these two topologies.

Bus Topology:

In a Bus topology, there is a single communication line or cable shared by all the nodes in the network by drop lines and taps, as shown in the following figure:

In the above figure, the drop line connects the nodes and the mainline, using a tap to add another device to the main cable. When one computer sends a signal up the cable, all the computers on the network receive the information. Still, the message is accepted by only that computer whose address is specified in the message's address field, and the rest of the nodes reject the message.

Star Topology:

In star topology, there is a central controller called a hub. In this topology, each node in the network has a dedicated point-to-point link to this central controller device, also known as a hub. The following figure displays the working of star topology:

There is no direct link between the nodes in the above figure, and all these nodes communicate via a hub only.

Following are the comparisons between the Bus and Star topology

Sr. NoBasisBus TopologyStar Topology

1	Connection of nodes	In a bus topology, all the nodes are connected to a single communication line with the help of drop lines and taps.	In star topology, all the nodes are connected to a central controller called a hub with a dedicated point-to-point link.
2	Expansion of nodes	In a bus topology, expansion is easier. A new node can be easily added using a connector.	In star topology, expansion is very easy. A new node can be easily connected using a central hub.
3	Chances of data Collison	In a bus topology, the chances of data collisions are very high.	In star topology, the chances of data collisions are very low.
4	Failure of a node	In a bus topology, the failure of a node does not affect the whole network.	In star topology, the failure of a node affects the whole network.
5	Fault identification and Isolation	In a bus topology, fault identification and Isolation are difficult.	In star topology, fault identification and Isolation are very easy.
6	Access Rate	Sharing a single channel results in a slower access rate in a bus topology.	Access rate is very fast as each node has a dedicated point-to-point link in a star topology.
7	Cabling Cost	In a bus topology, cabling cost is low as only a single cable is required to connect n nodes.	In star topology, cabling cost is high as n-1 cables are required to connect n nodes.
8	Signal Transmission	In a bus topology, the transmission of the signal is unidirectional	In star topology, the transmission of the signal is not unidirectional.
9	Network orientation	In a bus topology, network orientation is linear.	In star topology, network orientation is non-linear
10	Speed of data transfer	In a bus topology, the data transfer rate is slow.	In star topology, the data transfer rate is fast.
11	Congestion control	In a bus topology, the signal send from source to broadcast, and it travels to all working stations connected to cable, so there are no chances of congestion.	Star topology gives much better performance because signals don't necessarily get transmitted to all the workstations connected to the network.
12	Security	In a bus topology, any computer that is connected to a network will be able to see all the data transmissions on all the other computers. So there are no chances of security.	In a star topology, security depends on the central device.
13	Response time	In a bus topology, response time is slow.	In a star topology, response time is good.
14	Complexity	In a bus topology, easy to connect or remove nodes in a network without affecting any other node in a network.	In a star topology, average complexity because each device connects to central device with only one link only.

Next TopicDifference between Circuit Switching and Packet switching

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Both of these have a very high significance in the field of communicating networks. However, there is a significant difference between star topology and bus topology. The star topology utilises the switch or central hub for broadcasting data and info to all the devices present in a network. On the other hand, the bus topology utilises just a single cable that connects all the peripheral devices.

In this article, we will look at more significant differences between star topology and bus topology. But before we do that, let us understand more about topology.

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In star topology, if the central hub fails then the whole network fails, In a bus topology, the failure of the network cable will cause the whole network to fail.
Star topology is a topology in which all the devices are connected to a central hub, Bus topology is a topology where each device is connected to a single cable which is known as the backbone.
Management of high traffic and performance of the network is highly dependent on the capacity of the central hub, Bus topology can not effectively manage a high amount of traffic as if there is high traffic then the performance of the network is affected.
Star topology does not have any terminator, Bus topology has terminators at both ends of the network.
Data transmission is faster in a star topology, In a bus topology, the data is transmitted slower as compared to a star topology.
In bus topology signal is transmitted unidirectionally from one end to another. While the star topology does not follow the same.
Star network is expensive in comparison to the bus network.
Star topology has a high implementation cost because of a central hub and extra wires require for connection but on the bus, topology is less expensive than a star topology.
Star topology the communication between nodes is done through a central hub, a message from the sender node reaches the central hub first then it is transmitted to the receiver node, But in a bus topology, the data from the sender device to the receiver device is sent directly.
Star topology fault detection is comparatively easy. While in bus topology offer difficult troubleshooting because one has to check all the device of the linear network to detect the fault.
The structure of bus topology is linear as various devices are connected through a straight cable, while the orientation of the star network is non-linear.

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Summary:Difference Between Star Network and Bus Network is thaton a star network, all of the computers and devices [nodes] on the network connect to a central device, thus forming a star. Whilebus network consists of a single central cable, to which all computers and other devices connect. The bus is the physical cable that connects the computers and other devices.

Star Network

On a star network, all of the computers and devices [nodes] on the network connect to a central device, thus forming a star. Two types of devices that provide a common central connection point for nodes on the network are a hub and a switch. All data that transfers from one node to another passes through the hub or switch.Star networks are fairly easy to install and maintain. Nodes can be added to and removed from the network with little or no disruption to the network.

On a star network, if one node fails, only that node is affected. The other nodes continue to operate normally. If the hub or switch fails, however, the entire network is inoperable until the device is repaired.

Bus Network

A bus network consists of a single central cable, to which all computers and other devices connect. The bus is the physical cable that connects the computers and other devices. The bus in a bus network transmits data, instructions, and information in both directions. When a sending device transmits data, the address of the receiving device is included with the transmission so that the data is routed to the appropriate receiving device.

Bus networks are popular on LANs because they are inexpensive and easy to install. One advantage of the bus network is that comput ers and other devices can be attached and detached at any point on the bus without disturbing the rest of the network. Another advan tage is that failure of one device usually does not affect the rest of the bus network. The greatest risk to a bus network is that the bus itself might become inoperable. If that happens, the network remains inoperative until the bus is back in working order.

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