

In contrast, logical topology is the way that the signals act on the network media, or the way that the data passes through the network from one device to the next without regard to the physical interconnection of the devices. The physical topology of a network is determined by the capabilities of the network access devices and media, the level of control or fault tolerance desired, and the cost associated with cabling or telecommunication circuits.

For conductive or fiber optical mediums, this refers to the layout of cabling, the locations of nodes, and the links between the nodes and the cabling. The transmission medium layout used to link devices is the physical topology of the network. Two basic categories of network topologies exist, physical topologies and logical topologies. In comparison, Controller Area Networks, common in vehicles, are primarily distributed control system networks of one or more controllers interconnected with sensors and actuators over, invariably, a physical bus topology. Conversely, mapping the data flow between the components determines the logical topology of the network. A wide variety of physical topologies have been used in LANs, including ring, bus, mesh and star. Any given node in the LAN has one or more physical links to other devices in the network graphically mapping these links results in a geometric shape that can be used to describe the physical topology of the network. A network’s physical topology is a particular concern of the physical layer of the OSI model.Įxamples of network topologies are found in local area networks ( LAN), a common computer network installation. Distances between nodes, physical interconnections, transmission rates, or signal types may differ between two different networks, yet their logical topologies may be identical. Physical topology is the placement of the various components of a network (e.g., device location and cable installation), while logical topology illustrates how data flows within a network. It is an application of graph theory wherein communicating devices are modeled as nodes and the connections between the devices are modeled as links or lines between the nodes. Network topology is the topological structure of a network and may be depicted physically or logically. Network topology can be used to define or describe the arrangement of various types of telecommunication networks, including command and control radio networks, industrial fieldbusses and computer networks.

Network topology is the arrangement of the elements ( links, nodes, etc.) of a communication network.
