RING TOPOLOGY

In a ring topolopgy, each computer is connected to the next computer, withthe last one connected to the first. Rings are used in high-performance networks or when even performance is needed when a large number of clients access the network.

How a ring network works.

Each computer is connected to the next computer in the ring and each retransmits what it receives from the previous computer.The message flows around the ring in one direction.

Some ring network do token passing. A short message called is passed around the ring until a computer wishes to send information to another computer. That computer modifies the token, add an electronic address and data and send it around the ring. Each computer in sequence receives the token and the information and passes them to the next computer until either the electronic address matches the address of the computer or the token returns th the origin. An acknowledge message is back by the receiving computer. The sending computer than creates another token and place it on ring so other computer can now send their messages. This all happens very quickly.

Advantages of the ring.

• Because every computer is given equel access to the token no one computer can monopolise the network.
• The network is used in the efficient way.

Disadvantages of the ring

• Failure of one computer on the ring can effect the whole network.
• It is difficult to troubleshoot a ging network.
• Ading or removing computers disturb the network.