Comtrol PortVision DX - Manual (Page 60)

PortVision DX User Guide
Network Settings Description
Network Topology
This is an informational field.
You can select the topology† that reflects on this RocketLinx.The following
options are available:
•
BUS - In local area networks where bus topology is used, each node is
connected to a single cable. Each computer or server is connected to
the single bus cable. A signal from the source travels in both directions
to all machines connected on the bus cable until it finds the intended
recipient. If the machine address does not match the intended address
for the data, the machine ignores the data. Alternatively, if the data
matches the machine address, the data is accepted.
•
MESH - The value of fully meshed networks is proportional to the
exponent of the number of subscribers, assuming that communicating
groups of any two endpoints, up to and including all the endpoints, is
approximated by Reed's Law.
•
RING - A network topology that is set up in a circular fashion in which
data travels around the ring in one direction and each device on the right
acts as a repeater to keep the signal strong as it travels. Each device
incorporates a receiver for the incoming signal and a transmitter to send
the data on to the next device in the ring. The network is dependent on
the ability of the signal to travel around the ring.
•
STAR - In local area networks with a star topology, each network host is
connected to a central hub with a point-to-point connection. In Star
topology every node (computer workstation or any other peripheral) is
connected to central node called hub or switch. The switch is the server
and the peripherals are the clients. The network does not necessarily
have to resemble a star to be classified as a star network, but all of the
nodes on the network must be connected to one central device. All traffic
that traverses the network passes through the central hub.
•
TREE - The type of network topology in which a central 'root' node (the
top level of the hierarchy) is connected to one or more other nodes that
are one level lower in the hierarchy (i.e., the second level) with a point-
to-point link between each of the second level nodes and the top level
central 'root' node, while each of the second level nodes that are
connected to the top level central 'root' node will also have one or more
other nodes that are one level lower in the hierarchy (i.e., the third level)
connected to it, also with a point-to-point link, the top level central 'root'
node being the only node that has no other node above it in the
hierarchy (The hierarchy of the tree is symmetrical.) Each node in the
network having a specific fixed number, of nodes connected to it at the
next lower level in the hierarchy, the number, being referred to as the
'branching factor' of the hierarchical tree.
•
HYBRID - Hybrid networks use a combination of any two or more
topologies in such a way that the resulting network does not exhibit one
of the standard topologies (e.g., bus, star, ring, etc.). For example, a tree
network connected to a tree network is still a tree network topology. A
hybrid topology is always produced when two different basic network
topologies are connected. Two common examples for Hybrid network
are: star ring network and star bus network
•
DAISY-CHAIN - Except for star-based networks, the easiest way to add
more computers into a network is by daisy-chaining, or connecting each
computer in series to the next. If a message is intended for a computer
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RocketLinx Properties