ABSTRACT
Network topology describes the interconnection of network devices or nodes and their communication channels or links arranged within a certain physical space. The literature often distinguishes between physical and logical topologies of a network. Physical topology is the actual layout of the nodes and the links that connect them, taking into consideration such factors as the physical locations of individual nodes and the actual distances spanned by the connecting communication links. On the other hand, logical or signal topology provides an abstract representation of the communication paths between the nodes (e.g., the routes taken by the data to reach various destinations) without regard for the actual physical locations and distances between individual nodes in the network. Logical topology primarily deals with protocol conguration of the network devices for the purpose of establishing channels for sending and receiving the data.
