What is Hybrid Topology?
Definition – Hybrid topology is very different type of topology in the Computer Network architecture, because it is an interconnection between the multiple other basic topologies such as bus topology, star topology, ring topology, mesh topology (full-mesh topology or partial-mesh topology) etc.
Hybrid Topology Diagram
Hybrid Topology in Computer Network
All basic computer network topologies are linked to each other with network Backbone, so it grabs all functionalities of all network topologies. Hybrid topology offers best flexibility such as anytime you can add new basic topology or remove as per your requirement and enhanced fault tolerance.
Advantages of Hybrid Topology
There are some benefits of hybrid topology, such as –
- Easy to identify faulty node in the network and it can be removed as well as it has ability to repair their nodes over the network.
- It can support huge networks and comfortable to transfer data in between the different types of network.
- It helps to enhance the performance over all networks due to its efficient and effective design layout.
- Its size easy can be scaled up with adding new networks and other components without getting any errors in its design layout.
- Hybrid Network is developed as per need of the small and large organization, and it offers great optimization with available resources such as printers, plotters and more.
- Hybrid topology is combination of multiple network topologies, so it has great positive point because it can grab strengths of both topologies, and finally it offers excellent topology. For example – if it grab star and ring topology then it can support both functionality with effectively in hybrid star-ring topology.
- It has great reliability due to its sub networks.
- Flexibility – it means, you can anytime upgrade and downgrade as per the client need without disturbing its other functionality.
Disadvantages of Hybrid Topology
Here, some limitation of hybrid topology such as –
Complexity of Layout – It’s not easy task to design this architecture for qualified network technician. To get Configuration and installation for hybrid topology required to be much efficient.
Expensive hubs – several hubs are needed to link to different computer networks, so they are more costly. These hubs are not ordinary hubs, so they are special functionality hubs to perform all activates with intelligence for distinct architectures network.
Expensive Infrastructure – Hybrid network architectures are large in size, so they need several cables, cooling equipments, best network devices etc.
Example of Hybrid Topologies
There are four types of hybrid Topologies, such as –
Star-Ring hybrid topology – Star-Ring hybrid topology is a mixer of the star and ring topology. In which, multiple star topologies are linked to each other through a ring topology.
Star-Bus hybrid topology – In Star-Bus hybrid topology, to merge star and bus topology. Couples of star topologies are attached to each other through a bus topology.
Partial mesh hybrid topology – In this topology, fewer devices are linked to multiple devices together, but other devices are attached only to single or two devices.
Extended star hybrid topology – In the extended star topology, multiple extra networking devices are directly linked with centralized networking controller device.
Application and Uses of Hybrid Topology
Tremendous applications are used in the Computer Network, such as –
- Automation organizations
- Banks sector
- Multi-National companies
- Educational campus
- Research Organizations
