Bus Network Topology

A bus network is an arrangement in a local area network (LAN) in which each node (workstation or other device) is connected to a main cable or link called the bus. Bus networks are the simplest way to connect multiple clients, but may have problems when two clients want to transmit at the same time on the same bus. A true bus network is passive – the computers on the bus simply listen for a signal; they are not responsible for moving the signal along.
The bus topology makes the addition of new devices straightforward. The term used to describe clients is station or workstation in this type of network. Bus network topology uses a broadcast channel which means that all attached stations can hear every transmission and all stations have equal priority in using the network to transmit data.



Advantages :
* Easy to implement and extend.
* Well-suited for temporary or small networks not requiring high speeds (quick setup).
* Cheaper than other topologies.
* Cost effective; only a single cable is used.
* Easy identification of cable faults.
* Reduced weight due to fewer wires.

Disadvantages :
* Limited cable length and number of stations.
* If there is a problem with the cable, the entire network goes down.
* Maintenance costs may be higher in the long run.
* Performance degrades as additional computers are added or on heavy traffic.
* Proper termination is required.
* Significant Capacitive Load.
* It works best with limited number of nodes.
* It is slower than the other topologies.