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Advantages and Disadvantages of Hybrid Topology
Network Topology
Topology defines the interconnection of the components to each other in a network. When a network connection is made between computers with the help of nodes and links then it is defined as network topology. These are broadly classified into a logical and physical topology. Logical topology represents data flow within the network and physical topology represents the connection between computers and one another within the network. In this article, we will discuss the concept of hybrid topology and its advantages and its disadvantages.
Hybrid Topology
Hybrid topology can be created by combining any two or more different topologies given above. They are implemented in Wide Area Networks where many nodes are connected within a network. It is widely used in organizations, hospitals, schools, the banking sector, etc. The choice of which different topologies to combine is based on the user factors like location, number of computers connected, reliable network performance, network traffic, error identification, troubleshooting, etc. Consider an example of the banking sector, where one branch of SBI bank uses Star topology and the other branch of SBI uses Bus topology, then these two can be combined to form a hybrid topology as result.
Advantages of Hybrid Topology
Hybrid Topology is used in large network areas (Wide Area Networks). When a single node fails in the single topology used then this may lead to network failure but this is rectified in the hybrid model.
The addition of new nodes and deletion of nodes in the network is easier which yields scalability of the resources.
This topology can handle huge traffic that occurs during data transmission. No traffic issue will be faced by the user on adding or removing the resources.
It provides more flexibility to the user, to design as per requirements needed for data communication within the network
It is an effective type of topology with higher speed since two or more topologies are combined in a network.
Reliability is provided when any one node fails, it does not affect the whole network. Replacement of the failed node with a new active node and the process resumes sooner without affecting the functioning of other connected nodes.
The troubleshooting process is made at a faster rate, when a fault occurs at smaller networks then it can be isolated and replaced as earliest.
Data can be securely transferred between different networks.
Disadvantages of Hybrid Topology
Installation of hubs is costlier because they should be connected between different networks. These hubs should be more intelligent than normal ones, as they should provide the same functionality even when one part of the network gets failed.
Implementation and Configuration are complex in hybrid topology as two or more topologies are combined, design of the process gets tough for the designers.
Costlier as it requires huge resources to build and this expensive method cannot be suitable for smaller to medium-sized networks.
Requirements of hardware and software are higher, which requires a lot of physical cabling connections between networks and network devices.
Even though it detects fault occurrence at multiple nodes, each time multi-station access is required to recover the damaged devices.
Cable wires can get damaged which may not be known until there is a major failure in multiple nodes.
If the backbone of any topology is damaged then the performance of the total network is affected.
Network experts and professionals are required to modify parts of the network.
Applications/Uses
Used in financial domains, the banking sector, business organizations, research institutes, educational institutions, automotive or manufacturing industries, corporate buildings, hospital networks, etc.
It is applicable for large buildings with multiple floors where multiple networks are implemented.
Diversity within networks is obtained along with reliability and efficiency during data transmission.
Choosing between different topologies to form a hybrid topology relies on cost, bandwidth, user requirements, the organization's needs, number of customers, installation and configuration setup time, network expert knowledge towards fault or failure occurrence, handling network traffic, troubleshooting factors, etc.
During this process, organizations involved should be able to contribute towards all these factors in common and manage the resources to make the hybrid topology work efficiently on all the nodes connected within the network.
Hybrid topology has several advantages providing flexibility to the users and combining the functionalities of different topologies into one but also has some drawbacks that are listed above.
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