1. Unit 4, Lesson 10 Network Topologies AOIT Principles of Information Technology Copyright © 2007–2011 National Academy Foundation. All rights reserved.

2. There are many ways to set up a network What are some types of networks you've learned about so far?

3. Topology is the study of how things are arranged Have you ever thought about how your classroom is arranged? Why are desks and tables placed where they are? Is there a reason behind their topology? Topology examines how things relate to each other in space—how they are organized. Network topology, then, is the study of how computers are set up to work with one another.

4. A star LAN has a hub and many spokes A star LAN

5. A mesh LAN can be fully or partially connected A fully connected mesh LAN A partially connected mesh LAN

6. A tree LAN is also called a hierarchical network A tree LAN

7. WANs are not so easily defined Wide area networks (WANs), with their spread-out nature, are not so easily defined, topologically. In this diagram, the linked machines could be in the same building, in different buildings, or even in different countries.

8. Cables connect machines in a network Partially stripped Ethernet cable showing the twisted pairs Network parts are most often connected using cables. Ethernet, shown here, is the most common type of network cable.

9. All networks help users share resources No matter what type of network is designed, all networks have a common goal: to help users share resources. What network topology would you use at home? At school? In an office?