Topologies

The structure of the network

Physical topology
Actual layout of the media
Logical topology
How the hosts access the media
Physical Topologies
Bus
Uses a single
backbone cable
All hosts
connect
directly to
backbone
Ring
Connects each
host to the
next, and the
last to the first
Physical ring of
cable
Physical Topologies
Star
Connects all
cables to a
central point of
concentration
Usually a hub
or switch at
center
Extended Star
Links stars by
linking hubs or
switches
Physical Topologies
Hierarchical
Similar to
extended star
Links star
LANs to a
computer that
controls
network traffic
Mesh
Each host is
connected to all
other hosts
No breaks,
ever!
Logical Topologies
Broadcast
Each host sends its data to all other
hosts
First come, first served to use the
network
Ethernet
Token Passing
Controls access by passing token
Host can send when it has the token
LAN Devices
Devices that
connect to a
LAN are called
hosts
Hosts are not
part of any
layer
Operate at all
layers
Symbols not
standardized
Bear a
resemblance to
device
Network Interface Cards
Network adapter
printed circuit board or PCMCIA
board
Adapts the host device to the
network medium
Each has a unique MAC address
Media Access Control
No standard symbol
Implied on each host
Transceivers
Converts one type of signal or
connector to another
AUI to RJ-45 on router
Attachment Unit Interface
Layer 1
only looks at bits
Found on routers
Media
Carries a flow
of information
Bits and bytes
Layer 1
Media selection
is based on:
Cable length
Cost
Ease of
installation
Total number
of computers
on the media
Repeaters
Regenerate and retime signals at
the bit level
Allows data to travel further
Single-port in
Single-port out
Layer 1
bits
5-4-3 Rule for Repeaters
Five Repeater Rule
You can connect 5 segments with 4
repeaters, but only 3 cable segments
can have hosts on them
Hubs
Regenerate & retime network
signals
done at bit level for many hosts
Multi-port Repeater
Create a central connection point
Increases reliability
Layer 1
Active Hubs
Use energy from a power supply
to regenerate signals
Passive Hubs
Simply split signal to multiple
users
Like a Y cable
Do not regenerate bits
Do not extend cable length
Only allow two or more hosts to
connect to same cable segment
Intelligent Hubs
Console ports
Can be programmed to manage
network traffic
Dumb Hubs
Take an incoming network
signal and repeat it to every port
Hubs in other topologies
Token Ring
MAU
Media Access Unit
FDDI
MAU is called a concentrator
All Layer 1
Bridges
Layer 2 device
Connects two LAN segments
Filters traffic based on MAC
address
local traffic is kept local
other traffic is directed out
Switches
Layer 2 device
Multi-port bridge
Decisions based on MAC
addresses
Switch data out of the port
where the receiving host is
connected
Switches
Looks outwardly like a hub
Makes data transmission more
efficient
Combines connectivity of hub
with the traffic regulation of a
bridge on each port
Routers
Layer 3
Can make decisions based on
groups/ classes of addresses
Can connect different layer 2
technologies
Ethernet, FDDI, Token-Ring
Routers
Backbone of the Internet
Examines incoming packets,
switches to correct outgoing port
Most important regulating devices
on large networks
Clouds
Suggests another network (perhaps
Internet)
Does not supply details
Really a collection of devices
Layer 1-7
Segments
Common path for data transmission
Each time a device is used to extend
cable length or manage data flow, a
new segment is created
Segments
Function of a segment is to act
as an efficient local LAN that is
part of a larger network
Segment, as applied to LANs, is
completely different from the
Layer 4 PDU known as a
segment