A computer system directly connected to a printer is an example of point-to point topology

What is Topology?

Network topologies describe the methods in which all the elements of a network are mapped. The topology term refers to both the physical and logical layout of a network.

Table of Contents Show

What is Topology?
Introduction to Point to Point Topology
Modes of Communication
Why Should We Use Point to Point Topology?
Advantages and Disadvantages of Point to Point Topology
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In this network topology tutorial, we will explain:

What is Topology?
Type of Network Topology
Point to Point
Bus Topology
Ring Topology
Star Topology
Mesh Topology
Tree Topology
Hybrid Topology
How to select a Network Topology?

Introduction to Point to Point Topology

In the networking world, the word topology is widely used. Network topology means the arrangement of nodes and links of network elements to form the network. Network topology can be defined either physically or logically. It is used to define the structure of different telecommunication networks. Logical topology means how the data will actually flow in the network and physical topology means how the nodes are placed in the network. Point to point topology means the two nodes are directly connected through a wire or other medium.

Modes of Communication

It is the type of network topology which is used to connect to network nodes directly with each other through some link. And in between these two nodes, the data is transmitted using this link. Bandwidth is decided for the data transmission between these two nodes, for connecting two ends of the node this topology uses the wire which connects the two nodes directly to each other. These two nodes can also be connected through some other medium like a satellite link or any other medium. For example, the connection between the remote and the television present at home. When the user uses the remote to control the television there exists a point to point topology in between the television and the remote. Data transfer in between this topology can be in different modes like simplex mode, half-duplex mode, and full-duplex mode.

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1. Simplex Mode of Communication

Simplex mode of communication is a type of communication channel which sends the data in one direction only. For e.g. the radio and television is a simplex mode of communication as the information always flows in one direction only. Radio and television never gets the information from the user the information flow of direction is always from television and radio to the user end. One end of the simplex mode of communication is used for transmitting the signal and the other end of the communication channel is there for receiving signals. In simplex mode of communication, the entire bandwidth of the communication channel is used for transmitting the signals.

2. Half-Duplex Mode of Communication

The half mode of communication is a type of communication channel which sends the data in both directions. The single carrier is used to transmit signals in both directions. The only condition is that the data cannot be transmitted bi-directionally at the same time. It is like the simplex mode of communication where data is transmitted but the only difference is that the data can be transmitted in both directions. The best example of a half-duplex mode of communication is a walkie-talkie in which there is a transmitter and receiver button. The push to hear button is used to transmit the signal and when the button is ON and when the receiver button is OFF it allows the walkie- talkie to send a signal in one direction. And when the person speaks on walkie-talkie he cannot hear at the same time. The advantage of the walkie-talkie is that the device is cheaper compared to another mode of a communication device.

3. Full-Duplex Mode of Communication

The full-duplex mode of communication is a type of communication channel that can be used to send the information in both directions at the same time only. The same carrier can be used to transmit the signals at the same time. The full-duplex mode includes simple links that help to transmit the signals in bidirectional. The best example of a full-duplex mode is the telephone. When two users use the telephone they both can listen and talk at the same time. The full-duplex mode of communication is used in telephones and mobile phones. It is only possible because there are two communication paths between the ends. The advantage of full-duplex mode is communication efficiency.

Why Should We Use Point to Point Topology?

It should be used to transmit the signals and the information effectively across the network. As the topology connects the two nodes of the network directly by some wire or any medium it is very effective to transmit the data. The efficiency of the communication increases when the network uses the point to point topology and the data will be in flow in different modes of communication channels. The communication channel includes simplex mode, half-duplex mode and full-duplex mode of the communication channel. These different modes help to transmit the signals across the network very effectively.

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Advantages and Disadvantages of Point to Point Topology

It is used to transmit the information across the communication. The way of transmitting signals decides the efficiency of point to point topology. The advantages and disadvantages of this topology are discussed below:

Advantages

It is the simplest network topology which is easy to understand and implement.
The transfer of data can take multiple paths for transmitting the information. The data can be in flow in a single direction or bidirectional depending on the communication channel used.
The maintenance of point to point topology is very easy and the implementation does not take time.

Disadvantages

It supports only two nodes which make it less useful when there is a requirement of more than two nodes at the same time.
As there are only two nodes included in the network, if any of the nodes goes down it makes the whole network down which create problem to transmit the information across the network.
If any of the nodes go down the replacement of the node is a time-consuming process and also the process is very costly.

Conclusion

It is the simplest network topology to implement in the network. It includes two nodes which are directly connected to wires or some other medium like satellite network. The information flow between point to point topology has a different mode of communication channel i.e. simplex, half-duplex and full-duplex mode. It is easy to implement and maintain data transmission.