What is the network topology?

Network topology refers to the physical or logical layout of a computer network. It describes how nodes in a network are connected and how data is transmitted between them. The topology can be depicted using various graphical models such as a tree, bus, star, ring, mesh, or hybrid topology.

Here are brief explanations of some of the commonly used network topologies:

• Bus topology: In a bus topology, all nodes in the network are connected to a single cable, known as the bus. Data is transmitted along the bus to all connected nodes.
• Star topology: In a star topology, all nodes in the network are connected to a central device, such as a switch or hub. Data is transmitted from one node to another via the central device.
• Ring topology: In a ring topology, nodes are connected in a closed loop, with each node connected to the next node in the loop. Data is transmitted in one direction around the ring.
• Mesh topology: In a mesh topology, all nodes are connected, creating multiple paths for data transmission. This redundancy helps to ensure that if one link fails, data can still be transmitted through another link.
• Hybrid topology: A hybrid topology combines two or more topologies to create a more complex network layout. For example, a network may combine elements of a star topology and a mesh topology to create a more robust and scalable network.