What are the pros and cons of tree topology?

Submitted by frndzzz on Sun, 06/08/2025 - 00:15

Tree topology offers structured scalability, centralized control, and efficient monitoring, ideal for complex networks. However, it depends heavily on the root node; if it fails, parts of the network may collapse. It also requires more cabling and hardware than simpler topologies, increasing setup complexity and cost.

  1. Tree networks allow future expansion without major redesign. New nodes or branches are added systematically to accommodate growth.
  2. All nodes connect back to the root or central hub. This simplifies access control, monitoring, and network-wide updates or security patches.
  3. Tree topology often needs extensive wiring and hubs. This increases upfront cost and complexity compared to simpler topologies like bus or ring.
  4. The central hub’s failure can disrupt the entire upper hierarchy of the network. Redundancy or backups are needed to avoid total failure.
  5. Designing and configuring a tree topology requires careful planning. More hardware and technical knowledge are required than with peer-to-peer setups.