4 Considerations for Choosing a Network Topology for Business

There are several benefits to creating a wired network for your business, but how do you determine which way to wire it? Reflect on the following considerations for choosing a network topology for business to maximize online productivity.

Your Company’s Budget

First and foremost, you should consider which network topology your company has the budget for. The different types of computer network topologies vary in cost, as some topologies call for more network equipment than others.

To avoid landing in financial troubles, your business should veer toward a topology that it can comfortably invest in. Another aspect of a new network topology that will require you to consider cost is implementation. Setting up a successful network topology can be difficult, so you’ll also need to factor in the cost of additional installation support.

Your Company’s Existing Devices

Not all topologies are created equal. Businesses must select their network topology type with their existing hardware in mind because some topologies perform best with certain devices. Conversely, certain devices function best as part of a specific type of topology.

Instead of scrapping your perfectly usable hardware as sacrifice for a specific topology, take inventory. Once your company has accounted for its existing equipment, your business will be able to properly determine which topology will work best.

Scalability

One of the considerations for choosing a network topology for business that often comes much too late is topologies’ scalability. While some setups such as star topology are amenable when it comes to scalability, other topologies such as mesh and bus are not ideal for larger scale networks.

Ask yourself, “Will my company’s network needs expand within the upcoming years?” If you plan to grow your business (and its network), you should veer toward a topology that can accommodate such growth.

Downtime

A few different factors impact the amount of downtime your company may experience, including network size and topology type. Ring topology is difficult to troubleshoot, especially with larger networks, but mesh and star topology designs offer quick troubleshooting, as individual devices don’t implicate the rest of the system in these setups.