Design World

  • Home
  • Articles
    • 3D CAD
    • Electronics • electrical
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory automation
    • Linear Motion
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
  • 3D CAD Models
    • PARTsolutions
    • TraceParts
  • Leadership
    • 2020 Winners
    • 2019 Winners
    • 2020 LEAP Awards
  • Resources
    • DIGITAL ISSUES
      • EE World Digital Issues
    • Future of Design Engineering
    • 2020 LEAP Awards
    • MC² Motion Control Classroom
    • Motion Design Guide Library
    • Podcasts
    • Suppliers
    • Webinars
  • Women in Engineering
  • Ebooks / Tech Tips
  • Videos
  • Subscribe
  • COVID-19

What’s the difference between ring, star, and bus network configurations?

By Miles Budimir | October 15, 2019

Share

Industrial networks are many and varied. They can be distinguished from one another in a variety of ways, one of which is the topology of the network; in other words, how the devices on the network are connected together and how they exchange information and communicate with one another.

There’s also a distinction between two kinds of topology; physical and logical. Physical topology refers to how physical devices are placed and connected together with cables. In contrast, logical topology is about how data and information flows within the network. The two types of topologies can overlap, but they don’t necessarily have to.

There are a number of topology types, but here we’ll focus on three of the most common in the industrial/motion control world; the ring, star, and bus topologies. (Other types include point-to-point, mesh, and hybrids of these types.)

Ring – Each node in a ring topology connects to exactly two other nodes. This forms a single pathway for signals through each node of the network, which resembles a ring. Messages or frames travel through the entire ring and can theoretically be picked up and/or read by any device on the ring.

ring network topology

A typical ring network topology.

Among the benefits of ring topologies are the lack of any central controller to manage the messaging between devices. It’s also easy to find and isolate a fault on the network and reconfiguring or adding devices is relatively simple. On the downside, more devices on the network can slow transmission speeds and cause delays. It’s also more difficult to configure than other network topologies such as a star network.

star network topology

An illustration of a star topology, with the central hub and nodes connected to it. (Image via Wikipedia)

Star – Also known as a spoke and hub configuration, in this setup devices are connected not to one another but rather to a central master/controller or hub. So messages can’t be passed from one device to another directly but must go through the central master/controller.

The most significant benefit of star topologies is that the failure of one node doesn’t impact the rest of the network. It’s also simpler to add devices on the network as the only connection is to the central hub. On the other hand, the central hub is the main point of failure, so if it fails the entire network stops working. Plus, adding devices to the network requires additional cabling, which can get expensive as the device count rises.

Bus – In a bus topology, all devices (or nodes) are connected together through a common link called the bus. Each node on the bus receives all the network traffic.

bus network topology

A typical bus topology.

One of the benefits of bus networks is the ease of connecting devices onto the network, which generally requires less cabling than a star topology, for instance. Also, failure of a node does not impact the rest of the network. On the downside, a network cable failure shuts down the entire network. Also, adding nodes can slow down the network.

 

Tell Us What You Think! Cancel reply

MOTION DESIGN GUIDES

“motion

“motion

“motion

“motion

“motion

“motion

Enews Sign Up

Motion Control Classroom

Design World Digital Edition

cover

Browse the most current issue of Design World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading design engineering magazine today.

EDABoard the Forum for Electronics

Top global problem solving EE forum covering Microcontrollers, DSP, Networking, Analog and Digital Design, RF, Power Electronics, PCB Routing and much more

EDABoard: Forum for electronics

Sponsored Content

  • Configuration Management: Configuration Integrity IS A Core Driver for Business Success
  • How to Choose a Linear Actuator
  • Create your perfect machine with Advanced Engineering
  • How a ME/EE turned passion for design into his own bike company
  • Everyone Can Save on Cable Costs. Here’s How
  • How and Why You Should Use a Wave Spring for Bearing Preload
Engineering Exchange

The Engineering Exchange is a global educational networking community for engineers.

Connect, share, and learn today »

Tweets by @DesignWorld
Design World
  • Advertising
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Manage your Design World Subscription
  • Subscribe
  • Design World Digital Network
  • Engineering White Papers
  • LEAP Awards

Copyright © 2021 WTWH Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media. Site Map | Privacy Policy | RSS

Search Design World

  • Home
  • Articles
    • 3D CAD
    • Electronics • electrical
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory automation
    • Linear Motion
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
  • 3D CAD Models
    • PARTsolutions
    • TraceParts
  • Leadership
    • 2020 Winners
    • 2019 Winners
    • 2020 LEAP Awards
  • Resources
    • DIGITAL ISSUES
      • EE World Digital Issues
    • Future of Design Engineering
    • 2020 LEAP Awards
    • MC² Motion Control Classroom
    • Motion Design Guide Library
    • Podcasts
    • Suppliers
    • Webinars
  • Women in Engineering
  • Ebooks / Tech Tips
  • Videos
  • Subscribe
  • COVID-19
We use cookies to personalize content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyze our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you’ve provided to them or that they’ve collected from your use of their services. You consent to our cookies if you continue to use this website.OkNoRead more