Star Network Topology

Star is a basic computer network topology in which all nodes (computers and peripheral devices) of the network are connected to the central hub or switch with a point-to-point connection, forming a physical network segment. Such network segment can function separately or as a part of complex network topology. The switch is a server, the peripherals are the clients. The large workload and functions of network management are entrusted on the central computer, all information exchange goes through it, so it must to be obligatory the most powerful. The star network topology is a simple topology for design and implementation. Its advantages are high performance, flexible administration capabilities, simplicity of adding additional nodes and search of faults, the fact that a failure of one workstation doesn't affect the work of entire network. But the failure of central hub will result the failure of whole network or network segment - it's the main disadvantage. Use the ConceptDraw DIAGRAM with Computer and Networks solution to designing Star Network Topology Diagrams fast and easy.

Hybrid Network Topology

A network topology is the topological structure or the arrangement of different elements of computer network. There are several basic types of network topologies, such as star, ring, bus, mesh. But the most popular is a combination of two or more diverse basic network topologies, which is known as hybrid network topology. The examples of hybrid topology are: star-bus, star-ring topologies, etc. Each resulting hybrid topology has its own features, advantages and limitations of its components. Hybrid network topologies are more flexible, reliable, and have increased fault tolerance, the faults in them can be easily diagnosed and corrected, new nodes can be easily added. But at the same time hybrid topologies often are sufficiently expensive and difficult for managing. ConceptDraw DIAGRAM diagramming and vector drawing software supplied with the tools of Computer Network Diagrams solution from Computer and Networks area is perfect for schematic description various types of computer network topologies and easy designing Hybrid network topology diagrams.

Storage area networks (SAN). Computer and Network Examples

A Storage area network (SAN) is a dedicated network that provides access to data storage and operations only on the block level. SAN usually has own network of storage devices/elements and disk arrays that are connected with each other and to a remote data-sharing network. SANs are widely used for enhancing the storage devices (optical jukeboxes, disk arrays, tape libraries) that are accessible for networked servers. This example was created in ConceptDraw DIAGRAM using the Computer and Networks Area of ConceptDraw Solution Park. It shows the hybrid of Storage area network (SAN) and Network Attached Storage (NAS) technologies.