Tree Topology

Among all the Network Topologies we can derive that the Tree Topology is a combination of the bus and the Star Topology. The tree like structure allows you to have many servers on the network and you can branch out the network in many ways. This is particularly helpful for colleges, universities and schools so that each of the branches can identify the relevant systems in their own network and yet connect to the big network in some way.

A Tree Structure suits best when the network is widely spread and vastly divided into many branches. Like any other topologies, the Tree Topology has its advantages and disadvantages. A Tree Network may not suit small networks and it may be a waste of cable to use it for small networks. Tree Topology has some limitations and the configuration should suit those limitations.

Tree Network topology Benefits

• A Tree Topology is supported by many network vendors ad even hardware vendors.
• A point to point connection is possible with Tree Networks.
• All the computers have access to the larger and their immediate networks.
• Best topology for branched out networks.

Tree Topology Limitations

• In a Network Topology the length of the network depends on the type of cable that is being used.
• The Tree Topology network is entirely dependant on the trunk which is the main backbone of the network. If that has to fail then the entire network would fail.
• Since the Tree Topology network is big it is difficult to configure and can get complicated after a certain point.

The Tree Topology follows a hierarchical pattern where each level is connected to the next higher level in a symmetrical pattern. Each level in the hierarchy follows a certain pattern in connecting the nodes. Like the top most level might have only one node or two nodes and the following level in the hierarchy might have few more nodes which work on the point to point connectivity and the third level also has asymmetrical node to node pattern and each of these levels are connected to the root level in the hierarchy. Think of a tree that branches out in various directions and all these branches need the roots and the tree trunk to survive. A Tree Structured network is very similar to this and that is why it is called the Tree Topology.

Tree Topology Features

• There will be at least three levels of hierarchy in the Tree Network Topology and they all work based on the root node.
• The Tree Topology has two kinds of topology integral in it, the star and the linear way of connecting to nodes.
• The Tree Topology functions by taking into account the total number of nodes present in the network. It does not matter how many nodes are there on each level. Nodes can be added to any level of the hierarchy and there are no limitations a far as the total number of nodes do not exceed.
• The higher levels in the hierarchy are expected to perform more functions than the lower levels in the network.

Tree Topology Conclusion

The signals that are being transmitted by the root node are received by all the nodes at the same time. This increases the efficiency of the over all functioning of the network. The Tree Network topology can be extended easily to function and there are no limitations to how big it can be extended. Additional root nodes can be added and they can be interconnected within one single network.