Network topology is the layout of a network: how its nodes (computers, switches, routers) are connected by links. It can be described physically, by the real cables and positions, or logically, by how data actually flows between devices.
Why it matters
Topology determines cost, performance and how well a network survives failures. Common types are:
- Star: every device connects to a central switch. Easy to manage; the center is a single point of failure. This is the standard in offices and homes.
- Bus: devices share one cable. Obsolete in Ethernet today.
- Ring: each device connects to two neighbours, as in some metro and industrial networks.
- Full or partial mesh: many direct links, giving resilience at higher cost.
- Tree or hierarchical: stars joined in layers, typical of larger campuses.
Example
A small office uses a star: 20 PCs and a printer cabled to one switch, which connects to the router. If one PC's cable fails, only that PC is affected. If the switch fails, the whole office loses connectivity, so a larger company adds a second switch and redundant uplinks, moving toward a partial mesh.
Common mistakes
- Confusing physical with logical topology; a Wi-Fi network is physically a star around the access point but shares one medium.
- Designing with a single core device and no redundancy.
- Drawing a diagram once and never updating it.
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