Network Topologies
🧭 What is Network Topology?
A topology is the layout of how devices are connected. Network topology refers to the physical or logical layout of a computer network. It defines how different nodes (like computers, printers, switches, routers, etc.) are connected and communicate with each other.
There are 2 main types of topologies:
🔌 1. Physical Topology: Describes how devices are physically connected (with cables, wireless, etc.).
🧠 2. Logical Topology: Describes how data flows within the network, regardless of its physical design.
Common Types of Network Topologies
⭐ Star Topology
Most common today. As all suburbs connected to the city center.
All devices connect to a central device (usually a switch or router).
If one device fails, it doesn’t affect others.
Makes troubleshooting easier.
🔁 Mesh Topology
Devices are all interconnected. Every place is directly connected to every other.
Offers great reliability and redundancy (if one path fails, another can be used).
Gaining popularity in modern Wi-Fi systems (e.g., mesh routers).
🔌 Switch vs. Hub
Hub: Sends data to all connected devices — less efficient, less secure.
Switch: Sends data only to the specific device it’s intended for — faster and more secure.
🌉 Routers Connect Networks
A router connects different networks (like your home LAN to the Internet).
It figures out the best path for the data to travel.
It’s the reason you can talk to a website server in another country — your data hops across multiple networks in milliseconds.
🧠 Example: Your Home Network
You might have:
A router provided by your ISP
That router might include:
A Wi-Fi access point
A switch to route data
Devices connected via:
Wi-Fi (phones, laptops)
Ethernet (desktop PC, smart TV)
All these devices form your LAN, which connects to the Internet (WAN) through your router.
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