What is Network Topology?
Network topology is the arrangement of the various elements (links, nodes, etc.) of a computer network. Essentially, it is the topological structure of a network and may be depicted physically or logically.
There are two basic categories of network topologies: physical topologies and logical topologies.
Two Types of Network Topology
Physical Topology - Physical topology refers to the interconnected structure of a local area network (LAN). Top of Form
The method employed to connect the physical devices on the network with the cables, and the type of cabling used, all constitute the physical topology. This contrasts with logical topology, which describes a network's media signal performance and how it exchanges device data.
Logical topologies are bound to network protocols and describe how data is moved across the network. There are attempts to study the logical topology of the Internet by network scientists such as Albert-László Barabási. EXAMPLE : twisted pair Ethernet is a logical bus topology in a physical star topology layout. while IBM's token ring is a logical ring topology, it is physically set up in star topology.
Network topologies are categorized into the following basic types:
Bus Topology - A single cable, the backbone functions as a shared communication medium that devices attach or tap into with an interface connector. A device wanting to communicate with another device on the network sends a broadcast message onto the wire that all other devices see, but only the intended recipient actually accepts and processes the message.
Star Topology - Many home networks use the star topology. A star network features a central connection point called a "hub node" that may be a network hub , switch or router . Devices typically connect to the hub with Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) Ethernet. Compared to the bus topology, a star network generally requires more cable, but a failure in any star network cable will only take down one...