Network topology and mapping are essential to understanding how a network operates. It allows IT teams to identify areas that require upgrading or replacing equipment and to troubleshoot any issues quickly.

There are several types of network constructions, each with advantages and disadvantages. This article explores the network topologies, including logical and physical, and how they affect data transmission.

Physical

The physical network topology is a map of how the devices in your computer network are connected. These maps focus on the physical layout of devices and cable connections, and they can be drawn manually or using specialized software. This type of network mapping can help you locate faults and troubleshoot problems with your system.

A physical network topology and mapping typically shows icons of elements like workstations and servers, and the lines between them represent cable connections. This is the most accurate way to show your network's structure but only reflects how data connects across your system.

In a mesh network, each device is connected to every other device, allowing multiple paths for data travel. This type of network is often used in wireless networks and some wired networks, including data centers. This type of network topology can improve performance and reliability because the devices are close together.

Logical

Unlike physical topologies, which focus on the connections between network devices and cables, logical networks connect based on data transfer mechanisms. This mapping allows for granular visibility and helps IT admins troubleshoot issues by showing how data moves through a specific network.

When planning a logical map, IT leaders should consider the organization's needs and any potential changes to the network. For example, an IT team might want to switch from a hardware-centric, manual network to an intelligent, controller-led network that captures business intent and translates it into automation and policies.

When creating a logical network map, IT administrators should include icons for network elements like servers, routers, and lines representing cable connections. The lines on the map should be oriented in ways that make sense for a given organization, such as avoiding any lines crossing each other.

Point-to-Point

The network is a critical component of any organization. It provides a reliable, fast, and secure way to share resources and information throughout the company. Any issues with the network can affect productivity and cause significant business problems. Network topology maps help identify these issues and resolve them quickly.

Point-to-point network topologies connect endpoints directly via a single cable or connection. This type of connectivity is standard in WAN connections and satellite links. It is less efficient and scalable than other network topologies.

A well-designed network topology improves performance and enables IT leaders to meet business needs. It also makes troubleshooting network problems and implementing updates or changes easier. IT teams must consider several factors when choosing a network topology, including its ability to accommodate future growth and redundancy requirements. It must also be able to handle traffic flow and security requirements.

Star

The central hub of a star network topology is a switch or server that manages data transmissions throughout the system. Each device connects to this main device via a point-to-point cable acting as a repeater. This centralized design makes it easier to troubleshoot performance faults. However, the structure can be costly to set up and maintain over time.

IT administrators can use a network topology tool to visualize the physical layout of the network and understand how each device impacts others across the organization. With this knowledge, IT teams can identify and resolve issues faster and more effectively.

This quick response helps improve productivity, profits, and customer satisfaction. Using the network topology mapping feature, a network observability platform can illustrate the relationships between cloud providers, on-premises networks, and data centers. This allows NetOps professionals to spot and address performance issues and potential bottlenecks quickly.

Mesh

Every device is connected via wireless networks when a network has a mesh topology. Client Wi-Fi adapters in phones, laptops, appliances, and gaming systems communicate with the mesh nodes as with a standard router or access point. The nodes determine the best path for each packet of data to reach its destination and then send it along that route.

A full mesh network can connect every device directly, while a partial mesh allows devices to communicate with each other only through intermediate nodes. Mesh networks are used in data centers and wide area networks.

Choosing the correct network topology is vital to setting up an enterprise-wide network, affecting data transfer across the entire infrastructure. Cost should also be a factor, as implementing some network topologies is more resource-intensive. Consider the number of devices and how they'll grow over time, ensuring that any network topology you choose scales up to meet your needs.

Tree

A tree data structure is a specialized hierarchical method for organizing data. It contains a central node and structural nodes connected via edges, with parent and child nodes. The node with the lowest level is called the root, and the children of that node are called descendants. Nodes with siblings have the same parent.

Network topology maps are essential to network monitoring and troubleshooting because they help identify devices that can't communicate, which are the most traffic-intensive, and give a better overview of how network components come together. They can also be used to plan network changes and expansions and optimize network design.

It's not practical to manually create a diagram for an extensive, complex network, so modern teams use a network topology mapping tool that automatically discovers their IT environment and generates detailed maps. Robust solutions can even update the map as a network expands or is altered.