The bus topology is a network topology in which all devices in a network are connected to each other via a common communication channel. The data is sent from one end device and can be received by all other devices on the same communication channel. This communication channel is also referred to as a bus, which itself is only a passive transmission medium and extends from one end of the network to the other.
If one computer fails, all the others are still connected via the main line. However, a fault in the transmission medium (bus) leads to the blocking of the entire network line. To prevent interference in the line, the cable ends are fitted with a terminating resistor. If hosts are expanded or reduced, this can lead to failures in the network as the performance decreases. In addition, only one station can send data at a time and the other stations are then blocked.
Bus topologies were used in smaller local networks and in old Ethernet networks. However, they are less common nowadays as other topologies are more manageable and offer greater scalability. Nevertheless, the bus topology is a cost-effective and simple network solution.