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Network Topologies
Network. An interconnected system that allows communication between one or more connections points, in one or more directions.
Network Topology. The Network Topology describes how the network is connected together. There are many possible interface topologies, with the seven common topologies shown in the graphic below. However any interface topology may be combined with any other topology forming a hybrid interconnect not listed below.
All the highest speed buses are Point-to-Point, but that could relate to many of the bus topologies listed below. A Point-to-Point interface could be a Driver to Receiver or Driver to Switch [as in Mesh or Star].
Bus Network: Also called Multi-Drop. The EIA-485 interface [EIA/TIA-485] is the classic example of a Bus Network. The RS485 may be connected with up to 32 transmitters or 32 receivers in any combination. Ethernet is another example of a Multi-Drop Network. Ethernet uses a Collision Detection routine [CSMA/CD] to determine when access to the bus is available, allowing any number of drivers [transmitters] on the network.
Cascaded Star Topology: A Cascaded Star Network is a configuration of a Star Network [below] which uses hubs on the spokes of the Star to expand or cascade the network into additional Star Networks. So a Cascaded Star Network is a Multi-Star network.
Cluster Network: Same as a Mesh Topology or Fully Connected Topology. A Cluster Network might be found being used in a VPX System.
Cluster Network
Chip-to-Chip Network: A single connection interface that connects one Integrated Circuit to one other Integrated Circuit. The ONFI NAND bus would be considered a Chip-to-Chip Network. The Accelerated Graphics Port [AGP] is also an example of a Chip-to-Chip interface bus, or really Board-to-Board interface. A Chip-to-Chip Network would also be a Point-to-Point Topology, but restricted to ICs.
Dual Ring Network: Similar to a Ring Network, but a Dual Ring Topology allows traffic to flow in opposite directions, with one ring counter-rotating to the other. Normally in a Dual Ring network one ring is the primary path while the secondary ring is the secondary path [or backup path]. SONET is an example of a network that may use a Dual-Ring topology.
Fabric Network: Same as a Mesh Topology, Switched Fabric Topology or Fully Connected Topology.
Fully Connected Network: Also called a Fabric Network. A switched-fabric network allows all nodes on the bus to inter-connect with all other nodes on the bus. Advanced Switching Interconnect [ASI] is a Switched Fabric network.
Hierarchical Network: A organizational network structure where some number of nodes are subordinate to another node.
Hierarchical Network
Hybrid Network: Is a combination of different Topologies. When two or more Topologies are combined within the same network, then its termed a Hybrid Network. Most interfaces will be of the Hybrid type as secondary buses are accounted for. The interface buses that form parts of Hybrid Topology need not be the same style bus.
Line Network: Also called a Point-to-Point Network, or Linear Network. IEEE-488 is an example of a network that may be connected in a Linear fashion; however GPIB uses the term Daisy Chained. Each piece of equipment in the net uses a dual-face connector that allows the next piece of equipment to daisy chain onto the back of the previous connector forming a chain.
Linear Network: Normally a Point-to-Point Network, as in a 1-Wire Bus, or IC to IC interface.
Loop Network: See Ring Network.
Mesh Network: A Mesh Topology is similar to a Fabric Network but more geared to a wireless network. Connections are reconfigured as needed as opposed to being hardwired. Nodes are dropped or added as the need arises, but were never hard-wired as in the case of a Fabric Topology. AdvancedTCA is an example of a Mesh Topology
Multi-Drop Network: In many cases this refers to one transceiver communicating with some number of receivers on a common bus. The EIA-422 interface [RS422] is an example of an interface network with one driver and some number of multiple receivers all connected on the same interface. A Multi-Drop Network is a specific type of Bus Network Topology.
Multi-Point Network: A Multi-Point interface, unlike a Multi-Drop Network is a topology that allows any node to be a transmitter or receiver. Any node may transmit on a Multi-Point Network [EIA/TIA-485]. A Multi-Point Network is a specific type of Bus Network Topology.
Point-to-Point Network: A single connection interface that connects one device to one other device. A Point-to-Point interface is normally found with IC buses or high speed interconnects with a tight jitter tolerance.
Ring Network: A number of interfaces use a ring topology, for example Token Ring. An interface that passed a token [permission to talk] to each node in the ring, one node at a time. A similar topology is the Dual Ring used by the FDDI LAN. See Dual Ring Topology.
Star Network: IEEE-488 is a classic example of a Star Network having only one possible bus Controller communicating with a number of Talkers and Listeners. Although it's more common to see the IEEE488 [GPIB] interface in a chained [line] configuration, still with only one controller.
Stubbed Network: Normally a Point-to-Point interconnect with each link connected within a transmission distance away. A Stub Topology will have Signal Reflection issues.
Switched-Fabric Network: Or Fabric Network. A Switched Network allows any device or node to be switched or interconnected to any other device in the network. The InfiniBand interface is interconnected via a Switched-Fabric network.
Tree Network: The Universal Serial Bus [USB] is a network that uses a Tree Topology. The USB Host Controller is the trunk that branches out to a USB Hub or a USB device. A USB device terminates a branch while a USB Hub may branch out to another Hub or USB device. Each new USB Hub may branch out again until the maximum devices in the network is reached [128].
Twisted Ring Network: Similar to a Ring Topology, but the connection nodes are out of sequence. A Twisted Ring Network might be found being used in a VPX System
Twisted Ring Network
