Network topology

There are several different topologies of Computer networks. Here are several, with diagrams:

Bus topology

A Bus network

A "bus network" is hooked together like stops on a Public Bus route, one after the other. Bus networks usually require terminators at each end of the network, to prevent echo of the signal.

Ring topology

A Ring network

A "ring network" is literally in the shape of a ring; devices reach each other by passing data around in a ring. Physical ring networks often use two or more rings to add a level of redundancy if one of the rings should fail.

Star topology

A Star network

A star network has nodes surrounding a central point, so that it resembles a star when drawn.

Network topologies can be either physical or logical; meaning the software running over a physical Star network can use tokens passed around (Tokens are used on ring networks.)

An example of a implementation using a physical ring network is fiber distributed data interface. Another is Token ring networks, which can be implemented physically or logically.