What is Bus (Linear) Topology in Network? Diagram, Advantages, disadvantages, Use

What is Bus Topology?

Bus Topology Definition – A bus topology is also known as “Linear Topology“, and it is used in the Local Area Network. In bus topology network all devices (Computers, printers etc) are linked with using one backbone wire like as coaxial cable, RJ-45, STP or UTP. In bus topology, data flows with bidirectional (both side). If, sometime backbone wire gets damage then whole network will be halt. It is main drawback of this topology.

Bus Topology Diagram

Bus Topology in Computer Network

In computer network, several computers are attached with each other through communication medium (Wired or wireless). These linked computers over the network are called “Nodes”. These computers which are linked in the network can share different resources like as files, printers, FAX machine etc.

Bus Topology is used in the computer networks, in which all computers are linked to each other through one cable. This cable is known as “Backbone of Network”. Mostly Ethernet cable is implemented to connect multiple nodes in the Bus Topology. In Bus Topology, all information passes from first node to last node over the network.

Advantages of Bus Topology

There are various benefits of bus topology in network such as –

Easy to make connection with other devices of network such as hub, switch, router etc

Easy to scale up

It is more comfortable for a small region.

Less expensive to other computer network

It needs less cable (wire) compare to other network topology.

Both cable of Internet and electricity can be passed together.

No need of hubs and switches.

Easy to make extension in the network, For example – Connecting LAN cable with repeater or connectors, extra computers or other terminal can be added in the bus topology.

It’s speed of sending and receiving data higher to other typologies.

No need to power for wiring terminators.

Easy to troubleshoot to bus topology

If sometime any terminal gets failure, then other network will not effect.

Easy to identify its issues then these issues can be easily fixed.

Disadvantages of Bus Topology

Here, some drawbacks of bus topology in network, such as –

It is limited to only small region.

Bus topology depend on the main cable, if sometime it gets damaged then entire LAN network will be destroyed.

Data collisions rate higher to other topologies.

It gets degrade the performance due to overload of transferring data, if multiple computers or another terminals are linked with one main cable of linear topology system.

Less security risk because in this network every client have authority to see all data which are flowing on the local network.

Need terminators at both side edges of backbone cable.

Getting more challenges to identify the issue, if whole network gets failed

It can’t be used as stand-alone solution.

Computers are not able to regain the signals, so it is also called the “Passive Topology”.

Signals get damage due to long distance.

Need much space.

One information can be sent at once

Need much maintenance.

Examples and Uses of Bus Topology in Real Life

Bus topology is used in different applications in real life such as –

Applications of Bus Topology are :-

Share landline telephone connection

Let’s example, you have three story building and you need to make landline connection on each floor. Then you have two options, first is apply three landline connections. But this way is more expensive because in which to need separate configuration setup for every landline connection.

Second way is to use bus topology system; it means each floor’s telephone is connected to main landline cable through telephone sockets.

Ethernet Networks

Ethernet network is best alternative to LAN network, and it has high speed (10 million bits per second) to transmit and receive data compare to Local Area Network (LAN).

Sharing Resources

Various I/O devices such as printers, FAX machine, scanner etc can be attached in office with using of bus topology network.