A Guide to Hybrid Topology: Definition, Practices, and Importance

A hybrid topology is a type of network topology that combines two or more network topologies, including ring, bus, and mesh topologies. Its use and selection are influenced by its deployments and specifications, including the required network's performance, the number of computers, and their location.

However hybrid topology offers a complicated structure and a range of technologies are required for its practical execution, it has the benefit of increased flexibility; it can improve fault tolerance and makes it simple to add or remove different fundamental topologies. When you need to achieve diversity in a computer network, the hybrid topology is more practical.

In this article we will discuss the following topics regarding hybrid topology

• What is Hybrid Topology?

• What are the advantages of Hybrid Topology?

• What are the disadvantages of Hybrid Topology?

• What are the Types of Hybrid Topology?

• What is the importance of Hybrid Topology in LAN?

• What is hybrid topology used for?

• What is the difference between Tree Topology and Hybrid Topology?

• What is the difference between Star and Hybrid Topology?

What is Hybrid Topology?

The arrangement of network links and nodes in relation to one another is referred to as network topology. There are two types of topology: logical network topology, which describes how data moves between devices over a network regardless of their physical connections, and physical network topology, which describes the actual signal transmission medium. Ethernet twisted pair, which is classified as a logical bus topology, and token ring, which is classified as a logical ring topology, are examples of logical network topologies.

Physical network topologies, which each have a unique arrangement of nodes and links, include star, mesh, tree, ring, point-to-point, circular, hybrid, and bus topologies. Depending on each business's size, scope, objectives, and budget, the appropriate network architecture will vary. The relationships between communication devices, which are represented as links between nodes in a network topology diagram, and the devices themselves, which are portrayed as nodes, are made more clear.

A hybrid topology is a network architecture that links two or more duplex network topologies. Three hybrid topologies are the mesh, bus, and ring topologies. Thus, the definition of hybrid topology is the main topic here. The deployment of the planned networks, the number of computers, and their location are only a few examples of variables that affect the usage and selection of the topology. A hybrid topology is a topology that combines two or more other topologies, to put it simply.

However, a combination of technologies is needed for its physical counterpart. As a result, hybrid topology provides a suitable complicated structure. It has advantages for enhancing flexibility. It has the ability to improve fault tolerance and enable the easy addition or removal of fundamental topologies. Hybrid topology is more frequently employed when you need to fulfill a range of computer networks. All network segments in this topology include the configuration of many network topologies. You may create a hybrid web composed of two additional networks as an example. They are the ring and star backbones, respectively.

Figure 1. Hybrid Network Topology

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What are the Advantages of Hybrid Topology?

The finest networking characteristics are produced by hybrid network topologies since they combine many topologies. The benefits of hybrid topology are discussed below:

• Reliability: The hybrid topology is the most dependable and secure networking structure. Due to the branching factor, hybrid systems provide very quick mistake detection, which makes troubleshooting very simple. Because it incorporates sub-networks, the network topology as a whole has a very high level of dependability. Because networks are sub-branched, if one network malfunctions or stops operating, the total network is unaffected by this and continues to function. Because of its higher fault tolerance, the branching mechanism limits the impact of a defect on how networks function.

• Efficiency: The hybrid structure's total efficacy is considerably increased as a result of the mixing of multiple topologies, which not only strengthens the networks' strengths but also balances out their weaknesses. A fantastic hybrid star-ring topology may be created by combining the characteristics of both topologies, for instance, a ring topology with high reliability and a star topology with high tolerance.

• Adaptability: Since the overall configurations and adjustments may be planned and built in accordance with the needs of the users and the organizations that maximize the overall resources of the networks, hybrid topology gives excellent flexibility in usage. Thus, the topology is designed to support the characteristics and its utilization in order to use it in various networking contexts. Because of its characteristics, which include several extension points to link, the kind of network may be readily extended.

• Scalability: The hybrid network's excellent scalability is one of its best qualities. The construction of hybrid networks enables us to integrate several branch-like networking connection points. Regardless of the network's size, the hardware components are added or withdrawn extremely effectively, and new network components are quickly supplied without affecting the design or branching system as a whole.

• Reliable Data Link: As a result of the hybrid topology's use of two separate topological networks' properties, data transport via a hybrid network is incredibly quick and reliable. The total effectiveness and efficiency of the networks in a hybrid architecture won't be impacted by interference between various nodes.

• Secure Transmission Method: When a threat or error occurs in the system, the whole network is not impacted, improving security and debugging capabilities. The separation of the defective components improves fault tolerance, and the current topologies don't need to be changed in order to create a hybrid topology.

What are the Disadvantages of Hybrid Topology?

Several drawbacks of hybrid topology are listed below:

• Complex Design: Making a hybrid network requires a lot of work from the network technicians of topologies because network design is so intricate. Due to the intricate structure of topology, network processing becomes quite complicated.

• High Costs: Building a network using hybrid architecture demands a significant investment in time and money. The usage of these resources is expensive and sensitive. It is more expensive than others since it must be purchased again after being destroyed in order to build a better network.

• Installation Challenges: Setting up a big and complicated hybrid topology network is an extremely challenging operation. Nodes and the cable network need to be configured systematically. To create such a massive network connection system, the employees must have the necessary skills.

• More Hardware Requirement: The hybrid topologies employ a greater variety of hardware. Installation is challenging due to the complexity of the topology and the nodes' connections, and connecting many nodes necessitates using several cables.

• Cable Failures: Failures of the main backbone cable might occasionally have an impact on not only the linked topologies but also the whole network.

Advantages	Disadvantages
Reliability	Complex Design
Efficiency	High Costs
Adaptability	Installation Challenges
Scalability	More Hardware Requirement
Reliable Data Link & Secure Transmission Method	Cable Failures

Table 1. Advantages and Disadvantages of Hybrid topology

What are the Types of Hybrid topology?

Depending on the underlying topologies that make up the hybrid and the adjoining topology that links the basic topologies, there are several types of hybrid network topologies. Kinds of hybrid topology are explained below:

• Star-Wired Ring Network Topology: A series of star topologies are joined by a ring topology acting as the adjoining topology in a star-wired ring hybrid topology. A connecting link connects each star topology to the ring topology.

Figure 2. Star-Wired Ring Network Topology

A diagrammatic illustration of the star-wired ring topology is shown in the figure above. In the figure, a central switch connects the individual nodes of a specific star topology, such as Star Topology 1, and node A in the main ring topology then provides an external link to additional star topologies.

A connecting node in the primary ring topology like A receives information from a certain star topology in either a bidirectional or unidirectional fashion. A bidirectional flow will make sure that the primary ring topology's information flow doesn't completely stop as a result of a failure in one of its nodes.

• Star-Wired Bus Network Topology: A group of star topologies is connected by a central bus topology to form a star-wired bus topology. A connecting link connects each star topology to the bus topology. A diagrammatic illustration of the star-wired bus architecture is shown in the Figure below

Figure 3. Star-Wired Bus Network Topology

In this configuration, the primary bus topology acts as a backbone link connecting the several star topologies. In this situation, a wired connection serves as the foundation.

• Hierarchical Network Topology: The topology of a hierarchical network is organized into many layers, much like a tree. It is also known as tree network topology for this reason. The hierarchical network structure is represented diagrammatically in the figure below:

Figure 4. Hierarchical Network Topology

Lower levels, like level 2, are connected to upper levels, such as level 1, through cable connections. The parent (root) node is found at level 0, which is the highest level. The child nodes are found in level 1, which is the second level. Level 3 also has child nodes. Except for the nodes at the topmost level, every node in a given level has a higher parent node.

Due to their periphery and lack of parent node relationships, the nodes at the lowest level are known as leaf nodes. A tree network topology is essentially a group of star network topologies stacked on top of one another. Even the highest level can have one or more nodes in it.

What is the Importance of Hybrid Topology in LAN?

The topology of a network has a big impact on how well it works. A well-designed and managed network architecture reduces energy use and increases data transfer rates, which significantly improves performance. You may better comprehend two crucial elements of your using network topology. It helps you to get to know key components of your network and the relationships that result from them. It also shows how they connect with one another and what you might infer from their performances. Performance management, therefore, is the key to topology, regardless of the size or structure of a network and its numerous components.

A hybrid network topology is a combination of several topologies. Due to their capacity to handle diverse settings, hybrid topologies frequently provide considerable flexibility. As an illustration, different departments within the same company could adopt customized network topologies better suited to their network requirements. Hybrid topologies offer good scalability. This property makes them appropriate for bigger networks, and they provide several advantages.

What is Hybrid Topology Used for?

Due to its efficient cost, hybrid topology is used in a variety of applications. In comparison to other fundamental mechanisms, the hybrid topology mechanism is effective and may be used in a variety of settings. Therefore, the network's flexibility and adaptability enable users to design, administer, and maintain organizations. The financial and banking industry, automated industries, multinational corporations, research organizations, and many educational institutions are only a few of the primary uses of the hybrid topology. A new hybrid topology is created by combining any two topologies, such as a partial star, extended star, point-to-point networks, and complete mesh topology.

Examples and applications of hybrid topologies are extensively used. People may choose to use it in their homes or offices, and because it has a fast setup and flexible options, it is considered a smart solution. It provides a compact to the tiny businesses and even their divisions. In offices or homes with several floors of buildings and departments, it is a wise choice. Hybrid topology implementation has a wide range of advantages. Therefore, it is put to provide its greatest efficiency in accordance with the needs. But when the fundamental topology is combined, a complicated network is produced that affects your budget.

Numerous locations make advantage of a hybrid topology. The list below discusses a few of them.

• Schools, colleges, and universities: The hybrid network connects several departments. If a department is active, the campus as a whole will benefit from it.

• Personal and public businesses: Hybrid topology is frequently utilized in all types of enterprises, whether they are private or public.

• Offices: The hybrid network connects almost all large offices. Any data may be sent to another network with ease. The use of a hybrid network has a lot of benefits.

• Research organizations: Research groups frequently employ hybrid networks since they have them all set up. It may be the result of the interaction of all conceivable topological kinds.

• Multinational offices: Every large company has a hybrid network that is completely functional and allows all employees to submit data and information to any department.

• Banks: It is the hybrid topology's most widespread use. The hybrid network connects every bank in its entirety.

What is the Difference Between Tree Topology and Hybrid Topology?

The traits of a star topology and a linear bus topology are combined in a tree topology. Groups of star networks are connected to the linear bus backbone in a tree topology. According to the needs, the user extends and configures the current network using tree topology. The tree topology frequently makes use of twisted pair cables. The term "hierarchical structure" also applies to the tree topology.

A hybrid topology combines many network topologies. A Special Topology is another name for it. Corporate offices can utilize this architecture to connect their internal LANs (Local Area Networks) while incorporating external networks via wide area networks (WANs). Star-Bus or Star-Ring topologies are frequently employed together. Two or more star topologies connected by a bus trunk make up a star-bus network. In contrast, a tree topology may be thought of as a hierarchy-based collection of star networks. In contrast to the star topology, the role of the central node may be spread in this case.

What is the Difference Between Star and Hybrid Topology?

Star topology connects each node to a single central switch. The switch and every other node in the network are both directly linked to every device in the network. The central network hub serves as a server in this arrangement, with the other devices acting as clients. The central node serves as a repeater and is in charge of controlling data transfers throughout the whole network. Computers are linked together via coaxial, twisted pair, or optical fiber cables in star topologies.

On the other hand, an arrangement of two or more distinct topologies is referred to as a hybrid topology. The majority of the time, hybrid topologies are found in bigger organizations where various departments have their own network topologies. A hybrid topology is created by joining two topologies together.