Difference between Star Topology and Bus Topology

Star Topology VS. Bus Topology: Know the Differences between Star Topology and Bus Topology

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.

What is Topology?

The term, network topology, refers to the way in which all the links and nodes in a network are connected. Here, the actual network topology means the physical medium of signal transmission, while the logical network topology means how the data and info pass through the network present between various devices- regardless of how these devices are connected physically.

What is Star Topology?

The star topology is a computer network type that uses the concept of spoke-hub distribution. The nodes in a star topology are connected to the router or the central hub. In this case, the data travels from the router or the central hub to all of the nodes in the network. Thus, if a star topology has “n” links, then there will be “n” nodes.

Basic features of star topology:

Every host in a star topology is connected to the router or central hub. Thus, one central hub would act just like a channel for messaging in the basic form.
The transmission lines and the hub & hosts connect to form a graph that is star-shaped. Thus, the data in a star network goes through the hub before they proceed to the final destination.
The controlling and managing of all the network functions are done by the hub. It even performs a data flow repeater’s role.
This topology reduces the overall impact of a transmission line failure as it connects every host separately to the hub. A host would be able to communicate with others by receiving from and transmitting to the hub.
In case a transmission line that connects the hub to the host fails, the host would be isolated from all the rest of the networks. But, keep in mind that the network’s remainder will not be affected.

What is Bus Topology?

The bus topology configuration consists of multiple devices connected in a line after one another. This communication happens in a linear manner- and thus, it is termed as a bus configuration. All the nodes or devices are linked together in a bus topology via a shared link called the bus. Every node in the bus receives the network traffic. The link or common cable can be either twisted pair cable or coaxial cable.

Basic features of bus topology:

In a bus network, the host is named station. These stations receive all the traffic networks in a bus, and every traffic in the station has equal priority of transmission.
A network segment and a collision domain in the bus network are similar. A node shares a bus using the bus master or a medium access control system like the CSMA (carrier-sense multiple access).
Since every data and info gets transferred across the primary/ main cable, there is a limit to the maximum distance to which the main cable can go and the total number of drop lines.
Every computer present in a bus topology network communicates independently with one another.
A primary wire is present in a bus topology, and a dropline connects all the devices to it. Also, the primary wire is connected to the drop lines by a device called the trap.

A network’s whole bus capability can be shared by all the computers. The flow of data and info from one point to another occurs through a network shared among multiple devices.