Unit 4: Computer Networks

Network Topologies

ICT 110: IT for Business

Today's Agenda

        By the end of this session, you will be able to connect network design directly to business performance.
    

✅ Define network topology and explain its strategic importance for business operations.
✅ Compare common topologies based on business needs like cost, reliability, and scalability.
✅ Analyze how topology choices impact various business functions (Finance, HR, Operations).
✅ Apply topology concepts to real-world business scenarios in Nepal.

What is a Network Topology?

A Network Topology is the physical or logical arrangement of nodes (computers, printers, servers) and connections within a network.

Think of it as the "floor plan" or "blueprint" for your company's digital communication system.

🔍 This "blueprint" determines how data flows, how the network handles errors, and how much it costs to build and maintain.

Why Does the "Blueprint" Matter for Business?

It's not just a technical choice; it's a core business decision that impacts the bottom line.

Technical Aspect

Data Path & Flow
Fault Tolerance
Network Management

💼 Business Impact

🤝 Employee Productivity
💰 Cost of Downtime & Maintenance
⚙️ Operational Efficiency & Scalability

Bus Topology: The "Main Street"

All devices share a single communication line or 'backbone'.

Advantages

Low Cost: Requires less cable, ideal for startups or small departments.
Simple: Easy to set up for temporary networks (e.g., event registration).

Disadvantages

Single Point of Failure: If the main cable breaks, the entire network fails. Imagine payroll stopping on payday!
Poor Scalability: Performance degrades as more devices are added.

Star Topology: The "Central Hub"

All devices are connected to a central hub or switch. This is the most common topology in modern offices.

Advantages

Reliable: One computer's failure doesn't affect others. HR can work even if the Finance connection is down.
Easy to Manage: Simple to add/remove devices and troubleshoot problems from the central hub.
Good Performance.

Disadvantages

Central Point of Failure: If the central hub fails, the entire network goes down.
Higher Cost: Requires more cable and a central device.

Mesh Topology: The "Web of Connections"

Every device is connected to every other device, providing multiple paths for data.

Advantages

⚡ Extremely Reliable: If one path fails, data is automatically rerouted. Essential for systems where downtime is not an option.
High Performance & Secure: Point-to-point links make data transfer fast and private.

Disadvantages

Very Expensive: Requires a huge amount of cabling and complex configuration.
Difficult to Manage.

Business Use Case: Core internet backbone, banking systems, stock trading floors, and data centers where 99.999% uptime is critical.

Hybrid Topology: The Realistic Approach

A Hybrid Topology combines two or more different topologies to form a larger, more complex network.

This is the most common approach for medium to large businesses.

Example: A University Campus

Each department (Business, Engineering) uses a Star topology for its offices and labs.
All the department hubs are connected to a high-speed Bus or Mesh backbone that links the entire campus.

Topology Comparison: A Business View

Topology	Cost	Reliability	Scalability	Best For...
Bus	Low	Low	Poor	Small, temporary setups
Star	Medium	Good	Good	Most corporate offices, departments
Ring	Medium	Medium	Poor	Legacy systems (e.g., some manufacturing)
Mesh	Very High	Excellent	Excellent	Critical infrastructure (Banks, Data Centers)

Activity: Designing for a Business

You are the IT consultant for a growing Nepali company. Which topology would you recommend for each department and why?

💰 Finance Department: Needs high security and 100% uptime for processing payments and generating reports.
(Hint: Reliability is key. Star is a good choice.)
⚙️ Operations & Warehouse: Needs to connect hundreds of inventory scanners and shipping stations. The network must be easy to expand.
(Hint: Scalability is vital. A robust Star or Hybrid is suitable.)
🤝 Human Resources: A small team in a separate office wing, handling sensitive employee data.
(Hint: A simple, isolated Star network for security and simplicity.)

Topology in Action: The Nepali Business Landscape

eSewa (FinTech)

Business Need: Extreme reliability and security. Every transaction must be processed. Downtime means massive financial and reputational loss.

Likely Topology: A sophisticated Hybrid/Mesh topology in their core data centers to ensure no single point of failure.

Daraz (E-commerce / Operations)

Business Need: Scalable and reliable network in warehouses to manage thousands of products, orders, and shipments simultaneously.

Likely Topology: A large-scale Hybrid network, using Star topologies in office and warehouse zones, connected by a high-speed backbone.

CG Foods (Manufacturing): Uses robust Star networks on the factory floor to connect machinery, sensors, and control systems to a central server for monitoring production and quality control.

Choosing a Topology: A Strategic Business Decision

There is no single "best" topology. The choice is a strategic trade-off.

A Startup

Prioritizes Cost. Might start with a simple Bus or small Star network.

A Bank

Prioritizes Reliability. Invests heavily in a Mesh/Hybrid architecture.

A Growing SME

Prioritizes Scalability. Chooses a Star topology that is easy to expand.

Key Takeaways for Business Leaders

🎯 Topology is the strategic 'blueprint' for a network, directly impacting business continuity and efficiency.
💼 The "best" topology depends entirely on the business's specific needs: its budget, tolerance for downtime, and future growth plans.
📊 Most modern businesses use a Hybrid approach, combining topologies to optimize for different functions (e.g., Star for offices, Mesh for the data center).
🤝 A well-chosen topology is an invisible asset that enables productivity across ALL functions—from HR's payroll to the factory's production line.

Thank You

Any Questions?

Next Topic: IP Addressing: IPv4 and IPv6

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