Bus network

This article is about a type of computer network. For networks of municipal bus routes, see Public transport bus service.

Topology of a bus network

A bus network is a network topology in which nodes are directly connected to a common linear (or branched) half-duplex link called a bus.

How it works

A host on a bus network is called a station or workstation. In a bus network, every station receives all network traffic, and the traffic generated by each station has equal transmission priority. A bus network forms a single network segment and collision domain. In order for nodes to transmit on the same bus simultaneously, they use a media access control technology such as carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) or a bus master.

If any link or segment of the bus is severed, all network transmission ceases due to signal bounce caused by the lack of a terminating resistor.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages

• Easy to connect a computer or peripheral to a linear bus
• Requires less cable length than a star topology resulting in lower costs
• It works well for small networks.

Disadvantages

• Entire network shuts down if there is a break in the main cable
• Difficult to identify the problem if the entire network shuts down
• Terminators are required at both ends of the backbone cable
• Not meant to be used as a stand-alone solution in a large building
• Network slowness increases when more devices are added into the network

See Also

• Network Topologies