The way a network is structured directly affects how it operates. A transportation network (such as roads, highways, and railroads) can be used as a metaphor to illustrate this point. If any part of the network breaks down unexpectedly, it can severely impact the ability to deliver goods to residents. Similarly, networks in businesses are crucial, and network topology can help system administrators manage large networks. Network topology refers to the physical and analytical arrangement of nodes and links in a network. There are two types of network topology: physical and logical. A network’s topology is important because it significantly impacts its performance, and different types of network topology have different advantages and disadvantages. The most common types of network topology are star, ring, mesh, bus, and tree. Hybrid topologies combine two or more different topological structures. Topology diagrams are useful tools for designing and troubleshooting networks.
