Mesh Topology

The mesh topology connects all devices (nodes) to each other for redundancy and fault tolerance.
It is used in WANs to interconnect LANs and for mission critical networks like those used by
banks and financial institutions. Implementing the mesh topology is expensive and difficult.
Advantages
1. The arrangement of the network nodes is such that it is possible to transmit data from one
node to many other nodes at the same time.
2. Eliminates traffic problems in links sharing.
3. If one link becomes unusable, it does not incapacitate the entire system. Thus, act as robust.
4. It has privacy and security.
5. Point-to-point link make fault identification and fault isolation easy
Disadvantages
1. Installation and reconnection are difficult.
2. The hardware required to connect each link (I/O ports and cable) is expensive.
3. It is generally too costly and complex for practical networks.
4. The arrangement wherein every network node is connected to every other node of the
network, many of the connections serve no major purpose. This leads to the redundancy of
many of the network connections.