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Difference between star and ring topology?

In this article will go through the difference between the star and ring topology in detail. In the beginning of this article, we will go through the basic meaning of both the topologies after that we will some differences between them.

What is Star Topology?

It is also called as star network. This topology has a client-server connection. In this, there is a central controller called a hub or switch. The following figure displays the working of star topology.

In the above figure, it shows that all these nodes communicate via a hub only.

What is Ring Topology?

It is also called as ring network. This topology has a peer to peer connection. In-ring topology, the various nodes are connected in the form of a ring in which data flows in a circle, from one station to another station. The following figure shows the working of ring topology.

In the above figure, in a ring topology there is no master controller.

Following are the differences between the star topology and ring topology.

Sr. No	Basis	Star topology	Ring topology
1.	Connection of nodes	In star topology, all the nodes are connected to a central controller directly. It has no connection between all the nodes.	In a ring topology, all the nodes are connected in the form of a ring or loop in a network.
2.	Expansion of nodes and flexibility	In star topology, adding a new node or modifying any existing node is easier without disturbing the network, i.e., flexibility is very high.	In a ring topology, adding a new node or modifying any existing node is difficult i.e., flexibility is very low.
3.	Communication Delay	In star topology, adding new nodes does not increase communication delay.	In-ring topology, the addition of new nodes increases communication delay.
4.	Failure of Node	In star topology, failure of one node can affects the whole network and the hub is a failure pint.	In ring topology if one link fails then there is no alternative to connect it with rest of the network.
5.	Response time	In this topology, response time is good.	In a ring topology, response time is relatively good as compared to star topology.
6.	Data Transfer	In a star topology, data travel through all devices via a hub.	In a ring topology, data travel either in clockwise or anticlockwise.
7.	Fault identification and Isolation	In star topology, fault identification and Isolation are relatively easy as compared to ring topology.	In this topology, it is easier to locate the problems with devices and cable, i.e., fault identification and Isolation are easy but not better as star topology.
8.	Access rate	In a star topology access rate is very fast.	In a ring topology, access rate is low.
9.	Cabling Cost	In star topology, cabling cost is high because in this n-1 cables are required to connect n nodes.	Cabling cost is very high in a ring topology as n cables are required to connect n nodes.
10.	Data collision	In a star topology, chances of data Collison is low.	In this topology, chances of data Collison is very low.
11.	Signal Transmission	In star topology, the transmission of the signal is both directional.	In a ring topology, the transmission of the signal is only in one direction.
12.	Transmission Speed	In star topology, transmission speed is faster.	In a ring topology, transmission speed is slow.
13.	Complexity	Star topology has average complexity.	A ring network requires more cable to connect nodes hence complexity increased.
14.	No of cables	In star topology, number of cable is n.	In ring topology, number of cable is n+1.
15.	Troubleshooting	Star topology is easy to configure and troubleshoot.	Ring topology is relatively difficult to reconfigure and troubleshoot.
16.	ApplicationStar	Topology is used in Local Area Network.	This topology is used in Wide Area network.
17.	Installation and Maintenance	In star topology, Installation and Maintenance is easy.	In ring topology, Installation and maintenance is difficult as compared to star topology in a network.

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