Both the star and mesh are the type of network topologies that could be defined as the arrangement of a network that comprises nodes and connecting lines via the sender and receiver. Here this article gives information about the main difference between star and mesh topology to better understand this topic.
What is a star topology?
Instar
topology, the node is connected to the central hub or router. In which the
information is travel from a central hub or router to all the nodes. There are
n link in a star topology If there are n nodes
What is Mesh topology?
In a mesh topology, the nodes are connected to each other completely via a dedicated link in which the information is travels from nodes to nodes and there are N(N-1)/2 links in a mesh topology if there are N nodes.
Difference between star and mesh topology:
- The star topology organizes the nodes in a star shape where the central hub is connected to all the other nodes. On the other hand, in a mesh topology, each node is connected to the other node.
- There are N links in star topology if there are N nodes, While in there are N(N-1)/2 links in mesh topology if there are N nodes.
- Star topology only uses twisted pair cable as transmission media. In a mesh, topology can employ and transmission media such as twisted pair cable, coaxial cable, or optical fiber, but it requires more amount of cabling.
- Mesh topology is complicated than star topology.
- Easy installation and reconfiguration are possible using star topology while mesh topology requires more transmission media, effort, and some more time for installation and reconfigurations.
- Star topology is cost-effective to some extent while the mesh is too expensive.
- The flexibility and scalability of the star topology are good whereas the mesh topology is less cable as it directly increases the cost of the system.
- The routing in the star topology is done with the help of the star coupler. While in mesh topology directly transmit the data from one node to another using a point to point link.
- The star topology has a disadvantage where the inoperative central hub can make the entire system is inoperative. On the other hand, the mesh topology is more robust than the star topology.
- Star topology is very extensible, Mesh topology is poorly extensible.
- The star topology has a drawback where the inoperative central hub can make the entire system inoperative. The mesh topology is more robust than the star topology.
- Star topology is very good extensible and can be used in LAN called local area network as set up is easy too, While in a mesh topology is poor extensible and can be used in WAN called a wide area network.
- The complexity of star topology is quite simple, The complexity of mesh topology is more complex.
- In star topology, twisted pair cable is used for connection, In a mesh topology, twisted pair cable, coaxial cable and optical cable are used for connection on the basis of the type of network.
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