The most common network topologies include:
Star Topology: In this setup, all devices are connected to a central hub or switch. If one device fails, it doesn't affect the rest of the network. For example, a home Wi-Fi network where all devices connect to a central router.
Ring Topology: Devices are connected in a closed loop, and data travels in one direction until it reaches its destination. This is less common in modern networks but can be seen in some legacy systems.
Bus Topology: All devices are connected to a single cable called a bus. Data travels along this bus and is received by all devices, but only the intended recipient processes it. This topology is simple but not commonly used in new installations due to its vulnerability to cable failures.
Mesh Topology: Each device is connected to every other device, providing multiple paths for data to travel. This is highly reliable and is used in environments where connectivity is critical, such as in some industrial control systems or advanced wireless networks.
Hybrid Topology: Combines two or more of the above topologies to form a more robust and flexible network structure. For example, a network might use a star topology for its main structure but have a ring topology within a specific segment for redundancy.
For cloud environments, networks often employ a combination of these topologies to ensure high availability and reliability. For instance, Tencent Cloud uses a highly available and scalable network infrastructure that leverages multiple topologies and advanced routing techniques to provide robust connectivity options for its services.