Topology in Computer Network

Introduction

The word “topology” comes from topos, which is Greek for “place”. In this article, we will discuss what is topology and the different types of network topologies.

Getting Started

A topology can be understood as the shape or structure of a computer network. In communication networks, a topology is a usually schematic description of the arrangement of a network, including nodes and connection lines.

What is topology(Network Topology)?

Network topology meaning is, a topology is a geometric arrangement of computers and their devices in a computer network. The way in which the elements/ components of a network are mapped or arranged is known as a network topology. It can be used to define or describe the arrangement of various types of telecommunication networks, including command and control radio networks, industrial field busses, and computer networks.

Types of Network Topology

Network topology and its types are categorized based on the geometry arrangement of computers or nodes in the network. The network topologies in computer networks are classified into two types based on network geometry. The types of topology in computer networks are as below.

1. Physical Network Topology
2. Logical Network Topology

The different topologies of the computer networks are explained in detail in the below of this article.

Physical topology and Logical topology

Physical Network Topology

The physical topology in computer networks is the physical design of a network including the devices, location, and cable installation. A physical network topology describes the placement of network nodes and the physical connections between them. The very common types of physical topology are discussed in below this article.

Logical Network Topology

The logical topology refers to the nature of the paths the signals follow from node to node. Here in the below, the different types of logical topologies are explained below.

Logical and Physical Network Topologies

There are lots of logical and physical network topologies but here we will cover the several common different network topologies of physical and logical topology. The physical and logical topologies are given below.

Types of Physical Topology

1. Bus Network Topology:- A topology that allows all network computers in computer networking to receive the same message through the network cable at the same time is called “Bus Topology”.
2. Star Network Topology:- The star network is one of the most common computer network topologies. In a star network, every host is connected to a central hub.
3. Mesh Network Topology:- In this type of topology, every node has a dedicated point-to-point link to all other nodes in the network.
4. Tree Network Topology:- A tree network is a hybrid network topology in which star networks are interconnected via bus networks. Tree networks are hierarchical, and each node can have an arbitrary number of child nodes.
5. Ring Network Topology:- All nodes in a ring network are connected in the ring structure. In this network, the data and the signals that pass ov3r the network travel in a single direction.
6. Hybrid Network Topology:- In this network, more than one topology is connected to each other to make a hybrid topology. A hybrid topology is used to connect a network that is divided into smaller sections also known as segments.

Types of Logical Topology

1. Token-Based Topology:- It uses a special three-byte frame called a token that travels around a logical ring of workstations or servers. Token Ring was a successful technology, particularly in corporate environments.
2. Shared Media Topology

Summary

The topology of an electronic circuit is the form taken by the network of interconnections of the circuit components. Here in this article, we have discussed the network topology, different network topologies, logical and physical network topologies. I hope you have enjoyed it a lot.

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