Network Topologies

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Network topologies refer to the arrangement or structure of interconnected devices and communication paths that determine how data flows within a computer network.

Types of Network Topologies: This covers the different types of network topologies, including bus, star, ring, mesh, and hybrid. Each has its merits and drawbacks, and understanding these is essential.
Logical vs. Physical topologies: This explains the difference between the logical and physical connections in a network. Logical topology defines the manner that data flows through the network, while physical topology is the physical arrangement of the network components.
Network Architecture: This includes the entire network infrastructure, including hardware and software components, network protocols, and network configurations. Understanding this is essential in developing network topologies.
Network Devices: This includes routers, switches, hubs, and gateways. You need to learn the roles of these devices in creating and managing network topologies.
Network Security: This covers securing network components like passwords and firewalls to prevent unauthorized access.
Network Operating Systems (NOS): This covers the different network operating systems, including Windows Server, Linux, and Unix. Understanding the different functionalities of these OSs is critical in building network topologies.
Network Services and Applications: This covers network services that support network topologies like DHCP, DNS, FTP, Telnet, among others.
Network Topology Design: This covers the process of designing network topologies, which includes architectural choices like the type of network, addressing schemes, and subnetting.
Network Addressing: This covers the different addressing schemes used to identify devices on a network, including IP addressing, subnetting, and CIDR notation.
Network Management: This covers the management of network resources, including performance management, fault detection, and network reporting.
Bus Topology: All computers are connected to a single cable that runs through the network. Data is transmitted to all computers on the bus, and each computer reads the data but responds only if the data is addressed to it.
Star Topology: All computers are connected to a central hub or switch, which acts as a central point for data transmission. Data is transmitted from one computer to another via the central hub or switch.
Ring Topology: All computers are connected in a circle, and data is transmitted from one computer to another in one direction only. Each computer acts as a repeater and amplifies the data signal before passing it on to the next computer.
Mesh Topology: Each computer is connected to multiple other computers in the network, forming a mesh of interconnected nodes. Data can be transmitted through multiple paths, increasing network reliability and resilience.
Tree Topology: A hierarchical structure of interconnected hubs or switches that is scalable and easily expandable. Data is transmitted from one computer to another via a series of interconnected hubs or switches.
Hybrid Topology: A combination of different types of network topologies. For example, a hybrid topology may include a combination of a bus and a star topology or a combination of a ring and a tree topology.
Point-to-Point Topology: A direct and dedicated connection between two computers in the network, usually used for communication between two specific computers.
Full Mesh Topology: All computers are connected to each other in the network, creating a fully interconnected network where data can be transmitted via any path.
Partial Mesh Topology: Only some of the computers in the network are connected to each other, creating a partially interconnected network where data can only be transmitted via specific paths.
Daisy Chain Topology: Each computer is connected to the next in a series, creating a linear chain of interconnected nodes. Data is transmitted from one computer to the next in the chain.
"Network topology is the arrangement of the elements (links, nodes, etc.) of a communication network."
"Network topology can be used to define or describe the arrangement of various types of telecommunication networks."
"Network topology can be used to define or describe the arrangement of various types of telecommunication networks, including command and control radio networks, industrial fieldbusses and computer networks."
"It is an application of graph theory wherein communicating devices are modeled as nodes and the connections between the devices are modeled as links or lines between the nodes."
"Physical topology is the placement of the various components of a network, while logical topology illustrates how data flows within a network."
"Distances between nodes, physical interconnections, transmission rates, or signal types may differ between two different networks, yet their logical topologies may be identical."
"A network’s physical topology is a particular concern of the physical layer of the OSI model."
"A wide variety of physical topologies have been used in LANs, including ring, bus, mesh, and star."
"Conversely, mapping the data flow between the components determines the logical topology of the network."
"Controller Area Networks, common in vehicles, are primarily distributed control system networks of one or more controllers interconnected with sensors and actuators over a physical bus topology."
"The connections between the devices are modeled as links or lines between the nodes."
"Physical topology is the placement of the various components of a network (e.g., device location and cable installation)."
"A wide variety of physical topologies have been used in LANs, including ring..."
"Any given node in the LAN has one or more physical links to other devices in the network..."
"...logical topology illustrates how data flows within a network."
"...yet their logical topologies may be identical."
"Examples of network topologies are found in local area networks (LAN)..."
"Graphically mapping these links results in a geometric shape that can be used to describe the physical topology of the network."
"A wide variety of physical topologies have been used in LANs, including ring, bus, mesh, and star."
"Controllers interconnected with sensors and actuators over, invariably, a physical bus topology."