LAN Topologies

Introduction Advantages Networking Goals Networking Criteria Applications Common Terminology Used In Internet Network Topologies Types of Network LOCAL AREA NETWORK LAN Transmission Methods LAN Topologies LAN Devices Networking Basics OSI REFERENCE MODEL

LAN topologies define the manner in which network devices are organized. Fore common LAN topologies exist: Bus, Ring, Star, and Tree. These topologies are logical architectures, but the actual devices need not be physically organized in these configurations. Logical bus and Ring topologies, for example, are commonly organized physically as a Star. A Bus topology is a linear LAN architecture in which transmission from network stations propagate the length of the medium and are received by all other stations. Of the three most widely used LAN implementations, Ethernet/IEEE 802.3 networks-including 100 Base T-implement a bus topology, which is illustrated in Figure. A Ring Topology is a LAN architecture that consists of a series of devices connected to one another by unidirectional transmission links to form a single closed loop. Booth Token Ring/IEEE 802.5 and FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface) networks implement a ring topology. Figure depicts a logical ring topology. Figure: Some networks Implement a Logical Ring Topology A Star Topology is a LAN architecture in which the endpoints on a network are connected to a common central hub, or switch, by dedicated links. Logical bus and ring topologies are often implemented physically in a star topology. A Tree Topology is a LAN architecture that is identical to the bus topology, except that branches with multiple nodes are possible in this case. Figure illustrates a logical tree topology. Figure: A Logical Tree Topology Can Contain Multiple Nodes <<Previous Page                                      Next Page>>