Ring Topology

What is Ring Topology?

In ring topology every device has two neighbors. All messages travel through a ring in the same direction. A failure in any cable system or device breaks the loop and can take down the entire network.
Token passing scheme is used for this topology. Only one token is available on the network. When a node wants to transmit data it will capture the token and then transmit data. In this way only one device can transmit data at a time. After successfully transmitting, token is released for other nodes. Thus no collision occurs but data transfer rate is very slow in this scheme.
Twisted pair cable and RJ-45 connector is used in this topology. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of this kind of network topology.

Advantages:

• If the central computer fails, any other computer can be made central computer.
• There are no chances of data collision in this type of topology.

Disadvantages:

• If one of the terminals becomes defective, it effects the whole network.
• It is difficult to troubleshoot the ring topology.