Understanding network topology

Network topology is the bedrock of a network. It shows how the nodes are arranged and interconnected. It refers to the physical and logical arrangement of a network. Hence, network topology can be grouped into two areas:

• Logical topology: This refers to the pattern in which data is being transferred between the nodes in the network. It defines the path that data takes when it is being transmitted. It describes the way data travels in the network.
• Physical topology: This refers to the physical layout or arrangement of the nodes in the network. It shows how various nodes in the network are connected.

The following are some common physical topologies:

• Point-to-point topology: In a point-to-point topology, a connection is made between two devices with a single wire. There is a direct link between two devices in a point-to-point network, as shown in the following diagram. An example of a point-to-point topology in a home or office...