Ring Topology

The physical ring topology is such that each host or node is connected to the ring with two cables:

• One for the incoming signals and
• the another for the outgoing ones.

This means that one cable arrives at each host and one cable leaves. The ring topology typically does not require an active network component. The control and access to the transmission medium are regulated by a protocol to which all stations adhere.

A logical ring topology is based on a physical star topology, where a distributor at the node simulates the ring by forwarding from one port to the next.

The information is transmitted in a predetermined transmission direction. Typically, the transmission medium is accessed sequentially from station to station using a retrieval system from the central station or a token. A token is a bit pattern that continually passes through a ring network in one direction, which works according to the claim token process.