Modern businesses make use of digital networks for transferring information and connecting remote workers to cloud infrastructure. However, cable routing, device connection, and router configuration significantly influence the quality of work done by the network. Therefore, it becomes important for IT engineers to have knowledge about what is network topology.
What is Network Topology? It is basically the structure of physical components and logical connections that exist in a computer network. The way in which various computers, peripheral devices, and other equipment are connected to each other in order to transmit data packets is called network topology.
Network architecture includes both physical and logical designs of a network. In other words, the way in which different computers and devices are physically arranged, along with the logical process of data transfer among them, is called network architecture.
The following types of network topologies have been established by network engineers based on the needs of the system:
Involves connecting all nodes of a network to a single main cable. The installation process is economical, but the whole network goes down if there is an interruption in the main cable.
Has individual nodes connecting to the central hub or switch separately. In case of failure of a cable, only that particular device is disconnected while the other devices remain in working condition.
Makes up a closed loop through which information is transmitted to all sides from the sending station. It is good at handling data traffic, although it may encounter problems like a bottleneck in case of a failure of a particular node.
A mesh network consists of the dynamic connection of various nodes through multiple pathways.
Tree topology is a combination of star topology and bus topology.
Understanding network topology helps you see how the configuration affects a network’s performance and stability. By choosing the correct network configuration (star topology or mesh network), one can create a powerful basis for networks.
Ans: The physical structure of the devices connected together in a network.
Ans: Star topology is easy to manage and has device failure isolation.
Ans: It uses redundant paths that automatically route the data through failed hardware
