Introduction to Network Topologies
Welcome to this foundational course on network topologies. In computer networking, the term topology refers to the arrangement or layout of a network, including its nodes (such as computers, printers, and switches) and connecting lines (cables or wireless links).
Physical vs Logical Topology
You can think of a network topology in two distinct ways:
- Physical Topology: The actual, physical layout of the cables and devices. It is what you would see if you walked around a building and traced the wires.
- Logical Topology: The way data actually flows through the network from one device to another, regardless of the physical layout.
Why does it matter? Choosing the right physical topology is crucial because it affects the network's scalability, troubleshooting ease, cost, and overall reliability. Let's explore the most common types of network topologies used in IT infrastructure in the following chapters.
💡 Fun Fact: Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is an invisible cable (Bus in the air).
Wi-Fi has no cables, so it's hard to talk about a physical layout, but logically it is a classic Bus (Magistrala).
- Why? The air is a shared medium. At any given moment, only one device can transmit on a single channel. If two start speaking at once, a collision occurs (just like in old 90s networks connected by a single coaxial cable).