Learning by Doing: CISCO Certified Network ... - SCN Research

Objective:
To be able to learn more about the LAN topologies used in networking.
Tools and Materials:
Paper and pencil
Paper Lab: LAN Topologies
Background:
In your textbook you have read about many topologies. Let’s take some time to go over
the specifics of each topology. Many textbooks seem to broadly categorize three types of
topologies as the “basics.” These include: bus, star, and ring.
A bus topology has all devices connected to a central backbone cable with terminating
resistors on each end of the central backbone cable. This really is not used too much
anymore since one computer, connector, or cable segment can cause the entire network to
go down.
Bus Topology Diagram:
Terminating
Resistor
Terminating
Resistor
Bus topologies typically used coaxial cabling (50 to 62 ohm…not the 75 ohm for your
cable television). Names here include “thick net” and “thin net.”
Star topologies have all networking devices connected to a central device. In fact you
have already built one in your earlier labs on small networks with a hub.
Star Topology Diagram:
1 3 5
NIC NIC NIC
A B C
Star topologies usually used category 5 or 5e UTP or STP cabling. Star topologies are
used in Ethernet networks.
70