What is Hybrid Topology?

A hybrid topology is also called network topology. Topology can be defined as the physical and logical arrangements of computer networks. We can say that topology is nothing, but how and by what factors are the nodes' physical and logical arrangement so that all networks can easily communicate with every node. A physical arrangement refers to how the computers are connected to a network. And the logical arrangements refer to how the data flows from one computer to another computer. It is the systematic description of the network arrangements connected to the various nodes. These are connected through each other by lines of the connection.

Types of network topology:

There are many types of network topologies there, which has described below.

• Bus topology
• Ring topology
• Star topology
• Mesh topology
• Tree topology
• Hybrid topology

What is Hybrid topology?

As the name suggests, hybrid means the mixing of the two or more types of topology. It can be ring topology, mesh topology, mesh or star topology, and so many combinations.

For example, there are so many departments in a college or school, and each has its different function of the work. Let us say one department uses ring topology and another one-star topology. Then we have to finally combine both types of topology, which gives the result of the hybrid topology. 

The above diagram indicates the mixing of the two or more topologies (mesh, star, bus, ring topology), which gives the desired mixed hybrid topology.Its hybrid topology is more diversified in computer networks to fulfill the desired network. Uses of choice depend upon the uses and deployments of the desired networks. There are many more situations in that we have to use hybrid topology.

Why do we use hybrid topology?

Every human mind searches for the cheap and best options to go with anything. Due to effective cost and better throughput, it uses any applications to run inefficiently. There are various sectors where the hybrid topology is widely used, such as banking, financial, educational institutes, research organizations, and many more multi-national companies. For creating hybrid technology, there is a need to mix any two topologies; it can be either partial or full, t depends upon the situation. The application of the hybrid topology is increasing rapidly, and many offices use hybrid topology to give the desired results as per need. This type of topology gives maximum efficiency as compared to others. It is more flexible due to size can be increased or decreased easily. Troubleshooting is also easy in the case of the hybrid topology.

Types of hybrid topologies:

 Various hybrid topologies integrate many basic topologies to make a new form of hybrid feature. These topologies are in the form of hierarchical. There are various types of hybrid topologies possible, which are discussed below.

• Star-Ring hybrid topology:
  It is the mix-up of the star and ring types of topology. Through the ring topology, two or more star topology is linked with the help of the wired connection. This type of topology is unidirectional and bidirectional, which means data flow in both directions. In the original ring topology, the data flows in the form of bi-directional. It provides more reliability if one node fails to send data, and then other nodes don't affect. These are the big advantages of the star and Ring hybrid topology.                         

• Star-Bus hybrid topology:
  Star-Bus topologies can be constructed by combining two topologies: star topology and bus topology. Two or more topologies achieve this with the help of a wired connection. This type of hybrid topology also provides better throughput and reliability. It is also bidirectional, which means data are flowing in both directions.

• Hierarchical Network topology:
  The hierarchical network topology is also known as tree topology. The structure of the hierarchical network topology is the same as the tree topology. This type of network is combined with two or more types of networks in which the main topology is called the root node, and the next level of the node is called child nodes. Tree topology is the combination of both parents as well as child networks. It provides a relationship between parent and child networks. This type of topology also gives maximum throughput and reliability. This type of topology is the same as the working principles of the oops inheritance concept.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Hybrid topology:

Advantages of Hybrid Topology:

There are so many advantages of the hybrid topology; some are discussed below.

• Reliable:  This type of topology is more reliable than others because it consists of two or more types of topology. Reliable means if one node gets damaged for any reason, it is possible to remove the damaged network without affecting the other networks. If more and more nodes are interconnected, then there are no problems regarding data flow among other nodes.
• Effective in nature:  This is more effective and widely used in computer networks. Star topology belongs to high tolerance, and ring topology belongs to good data reliability. These are the biggest advantages of hybrid topology. The weakness of the several topologies connected to the network was ignored. Several nodes are interconnected to the network, so more strong networks affect the data transfer, and weakly connected nodes are ignored. This gives maximum efficiency to any possible combination node.
• Flexible in nature:  This is also a great advantage of the hybrid topology. All nodes are flexible. This type of topology can be implemented for various networks. It can be created by maximizing the resource.
• It can transfer the data in an easy way between the different kinds of networks.
• It is widely used in data communication, signal strength, etc. 
• A hybrid network is created based on the requirements of the company. We can easily make that type of network as per requirements. These are the great features of the hybrid topology.
• Using this topology, we can handle a large volume of traffic easily.
• Error detecting is easy as compared to the other type of topology.
• It is used to create a large network.

Disadvantages of the Hybrid Topology:

• More complex architecture: Since the hybrid topology is made up of a combination of two or more topologies, so it is a challenging task to create complex architecture. There is a need to be very efficient in installing the configuration process.
• More expensive: As hybrid topology is much more expensive due to more complex architecture, purchasing and maintaining are very difficult in the case of this type of topology. Many more hubs are also required to create complex networks. It requires a lot of cables to support big complex networks. Every time we have to create new network architecture as per requirements. This is also the big disadvantage of the hybrid topology.
• Need more hardware:  For the creation of hybrid structures, more and more hardware is required. Every architecture is based on combining two or more numbers of types of topology. It can combine the mesh topology, star topology, star topology, and ring topology.
• One of the other disadvantages of the hybrid network is it needs a multi-station to check the faulty networks. And multi-station is very costly, so overall it is more expensive.
• Installation of complex architecture is a very difficult process.
• Hubs which are used to connect two distinct networks, it is very costly.
• Design is very complex, so it needs high maintenance.
• Fault detection is very difficult due to complex architectures.
• A hybrid topology is used in making large networks, so it needs more cables and cooling systems.

Where we use hybrid topology?

A hybrid topology is used in many places. Some of them are discussed below.

• Used in schools, colleges, and universities:  Many departments are connected with the hybrid network. If one of the departments is active, its effect will be useful on the whole campus.
• Used in personal and public businesses: Hybrid topology is widely used in any business; it can be public or private.
• Used in various offices: Almost all big offices are connected with the hybrid network. Any data can easily send to the other network. There are so many advantages of using the hybrid network.
• It is widely used in research organizations:   Research organization is fully equipped with hybrid networks. It can be a combined effect of all the possible types of topologies.
• Multinational offices:  All big companies are fully equipped with a hybrid network s that all the employees can send the data and information to each department.
• Banks:   It is the biggest application of the hybrid topology. All the banks are fully interconnected with the hybrid network.