Computer networksLesson 2 of 4 in the course Network models and layering

Network Topologies, Media, Devices, and Design Trade-offs

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 4 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

This lesson introduces network topology and explains why a network can have different physical and logical descriptions.

Network topology is the arrangement of the elements of a communication network, including devices and the links between them. It applies to computer networks as well as communication systems such as industrial fieldbuses and command-and-control radio networks.

All flashcards

What is network topology?
It is the arrangement of the elements of a communication network, including nodes and the links connecting them.
What do nodes and links represent in a topology model?
Nodes model communicating devices or connection points, while links model the communication connections between nodes.
What is physical topology?
The actual placement and physical interconnection of network components, including devices, cables, and transmission media.
What is logical topology?
The way signals act on network media or the path data takes between devices, regardless of the physical wiring arrangement.
Can physical and logical topologies differ?
Yes. For example, hub-based Ethernet can be physically wired as a star while operating logically as a bus.

Quiz questions

  1. In a graph-based network model, what do nodes and links represent?Answer: Nodes are devices or connection points; links are connections between them.
  2. What does physical topology describe in a network?Answer: The placement of components and their actual physical connections.
  3. What does logical topology describe in a network?Answer: How signals behave or data travels between network devices.
  4. Computers connect by cable to a central hub, which repeats traffic to all ports. Which topology pair fits?Answer: Physical star and logical bus.
  5. Two networks use different cables and transmission rates but follow the same data-flow pattern. What is possible?Answer: They can share a logical topology despite different physical characteristics.

Based on the Wikipedia article Network topology, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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