There are different layouts of computer networks. The topological structure of a network, either physical or logical is known as network topology.
Network topologies are basically divided into the following:
- Physical topologies
- Logical topologies
Physical topology is referred to the way a network's different components, devices cables are placed or installed. Logical topology refers to the data flows within a network, regardless of its physical design. Logical topologies are often closely associated with Media Access Control methods and protocols.
There are eight basic physical layouts of networks:
- Point-to-point
- Bus
- Star
- Ring or circular
- Mesh
- Tree
- Hybrid
- Daisy chain
