What is a Topology?
TOPOLOGIES AND NAVIGATION MAPS
This page explains LANs vs WANs, the client-server model, common network topologies, and navigation maps.
Network Types & Models
The different ways networks can be categorised and structured, including local and wide area networks and the client-server model that governs how devices communicate.
Topology
Topologies are often represented as a graph. Network topologies describe the arrangement of networks and the relative location of traffic flows.
LAN
A local area network connects devices within a small geographic area such as a home, school, or office.
WAN
A wide area network covers a large geographic area, often connecting multiple LANs, such as the Internet.
Client-Server Model
A network model where clients request assets from servers, which process and respond to those requests.
Network Topologies
The physical or logical arrangement of devices within a network, each offering different advantages in terms of speed, reliability, and scalability.
Bus Topology
A network topology where all devices are connected to a single central cable.
Star Topology
A network topology where all devices are connected to a central hub or switch, which manages data transmission.
Ring Topology
A network topology where each device is connected to two others, forming a circular pathway for data to travel.
Mesh Topology
A network topology where devices are interconnected with multiple paths, allowing data to take different routes for reliability.
Hybrid Topology
A network topology that combines two or more different topologies, such as star and bus, into one network.
Navigation Maps
Graphical representations that visually map out the structure and connections of a network, making it easier to understand and manage.
Navigation Map
A graphical representation of the structure and connections of a computer network.