Tree Topology

What Does Tree Topology Mean?

A tree topology is a type of network topology that includes at least three specific levels in a topology hierarchy. Tree topologies are valued for their scalability and accessibility for troubleshooting.

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Techopedia Explains Tree Topology

There are numerous ways to explain the structure of a tree topology, as follows:

  • A tree topology includes multiple star topologies, which involve a variety of single nodes connected to a central node. Multiple stars involve either a series or tertiary nodes attached to two or more secondary nodes, which are attached to the tree's primary trunk node.
  • Experts may define a tree topology as a combination of star and bus topologies, where multiple elements are connected through a single lateral connection.
  • Each node in a hierarchy level has point-to-point links with each adjacent node on its below level. All secondary nodes have point-to-point attachments to the tertiary nodes in their jurisdiction, and the primary node has a point-to-point connection to each secondary node. When viewed in a visual way, these systems appear similar to a tree structure.

A drawback of a tree topology is that an entire system can be crippled by any damage or malfunction of the primary node. This is why managers of tree topologies often have a "protect the tree" approach, where the primary node receives special attention or safeguards.

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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…