What is Topology?

Network topology- The specific physical, i.e., real, or logical, i.e., virtual, arrangement of the elements of a network. Two networks have the same topology if the connection configuration is the same, although the networks may differ in physical interconnections, distances between nodes, transmission rates, and signal types.

bus topology- A network topology in which all nodes, i.e., stations, are connected together by a single bus.

hybrid topology- A combination of any two or more network topologies. Note 1: Instances can occur where two basic network topologies, when connected together, can still retain the basic network character, and therefore not be a hybrid network.

mesh topology- A network topology in which there are at least two nodes with two or more paths between them.

ring topology- A network topology in which every node has exactly two branches connected to it.

star topology- A network topology in which peripheral nodes are connected to a central node, which rebroadcasts all transmissions received from any peripheral node to all peripheral nodes on the network, including the originating node.

tree topology- A network topology that, from a purely topologic viewpoint, resembles an interconnection of star networks in that individual peripheral nodes are required to transmit to and receive from one other node only, toward a central node, and are not required to act as repeaters or regenerators.