Ring topology advantages and disadvantages
Ring topology is a network configuration where the connected devices create a circular path for data to travel. Each item gets connected to two others, creating points on a circle that allows for communication to happen. Data packets travel from device to the next until they reach their intended destination. Show Most ring topologies allow data packets to travel in one direction only. These setups are called unidirectional networks. If the installation allows the information to move in both directions, then it would be a bi-directional ring topology. These networks can use WANs (wide-area networks) or LANs (local area networks), and wired or wireless options are available today to connect the devices. Some ring topology systems used a token-based approach to communication. Others offer data packet transmissions that go through each workstation. These configurations are not always treated as a true ring design since the physical layout can seem more like a star, but their benefits and problems are still part of the discussion of the circular network design. As with any network configuration design, several advantages and disadvantages of a ring topology are worth considering. List of the Advantages of Ring Topology1. All of the data can travel in one direction. Ring topologies create an effective design because it operates on the token-passing principle. Data packets get passed from one workstation to the next, and only the one with the appropriate token has permission to transmit the information. Then the receiving computer takes the info with the token, repeating the process. 2. You dont need to have a network server. 3. High-speed data transfers are possible with ring topology. 4. You can add new workstations without difficulty. 5. Ring topologies allow for bi-directional data packet movement. Some networks use two cables to connect workstations to maximize this advantage. Its an upgrade that is similar to changing a highway from a two-lane road to a four-lane one. 6. The data packets stay intact over long distances. If the system doesnt use tokens, the reliability of the information is still high. Each workstation validates the data packet before sending it to the next destination. 7. It is easier to pick out where faults in the network exist. This advantage typically applies to cable faults, but it can also be an advantage for hardware issues that develop in a ring topology. 8. You can add redundancies to the topology to improve its performance. IBM innovated the ring topology idea with its initial LAN< but their 802.5 networks avoid the weaknesses of this design because they are physically a star topology that uses a media access unit to imitate the use of a ring when sending information. 9. A ring topology is easy to design and implement. List of the Disadvantages of Ring Topology1. If you sever one point of the topology, then the entire network malfunctions. You can reduce the risk of this disadvantage by building multiple paths for the data packets to travel. Instead of having one highway to use, the information could choose a detour if the primary route gets disrupted for some reason. Taking this approach will reduce the threat of the network malfunctioning, but it comes at an added cost. 2. Ring topologies are one of the slowest network designs. The security that the token-passing principle provides is also the reason why speed can sometimes be an issue. While one computer has the authority to transmit, all of the other workstations are stuck waiting for information to reach them. 3. If one workstation shuts down, the entire network gets impacted. The ring topology can continue to pass tokens until it reaches the disruption point. At that stage, the information stops moving because there is no way to reach the next workstation. A bi-directional system can avoid this disruption if it can recognize the interruption. 4. It is more expensive to install a ring topology network. It is less costly when you compare ring topologies to hybrid, tree, or mesh designs, but there are more affordable options for you to consider if needed. This disadvantage is especially important to consider if you want to build redundancies into the system to be proactive about stopping disruptions. 5. Installing new workstations will disrupt the network. This disadvantage applies to any development work that needs to happen on the network. Even if your only task is to update a single workstation, then the activities can impact every other stop on the ring topology design. 6. The bandwidth of a ring topology gets shared on all links between devices. Conclusion Ring topology was the most common network setup when the first LANs were introduced by IBM. Their token ring was an innovative way to connect workstations, facilitate collaboration, and even create telecommuting opportunities. Now that we live in a technological world where speed is an essential element of every productivity equation, this design has fallen out of favor in some situations because of the threat of linkage disruption. Small businesses can take advantage of the high-speed nature of a small ring and its scalability, but large companies might find the design to be too cumbersome and lack consistency. When evaluating these ring topology advantages, it is essential to consider the orderly nature of the tokenized environment against the potential malfunctions that could occur. Then youll know if this network design is the one that will best meet your needs or if a different design would work better for you.
Brandon Miller has a B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin. He is a seasoned writer who has written over one hundred articles, which have been read by over 500,000 people. If you have any comments or concerns about this blog post, then please contact the Green Garage team here. |