noob question: Are Token or Bus topologies used anymore?

[PremiumG]

It seems like using routers, or switches, we're all using star topologies. Is token passing/ring topology and bus topology absolete? They seem to be used w/ older equipement like the BTC cables or whatever its called...

So why do we still learn about them?

 

[Preyhunter]

Ask your instructor.

I would imagine that you still learn about them in order to help you understand that there are many different ways that data can be transferred from one computer to another, as well as the pros and cons of each method.

 

[cmetz]

SONET uses rings, and there's work going on to build Ethernet rings (ROR). Dual counter-rotating rings works well for fast healing of network failures, and how to do all that is well understood, so it's likely that topology will stay useful for a long time.

Bus topologies are definitely falling out of favor, though non-switched Ethernet (hubs, for example) will be around for a long time.

 

[NetWareHead]

A few years ago, my instructor taught that token-bus topologies are very much alive in production line environments like factories.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: NetWareHead
A few years ago, my instructor taught that token-bus topologies are very much alive in production line environments like factories.

on very low level stuff like Programmable Logic Controllers.