Network topology is the arrangement of the various elements (
links,
nodes, etc.) of a
computer network. Essentially, it is the
topological structure of a network and may be depicted physically or logically.
Physical topology is the placement of the various components of a network, including device location and cable installation, while
logical topology illustrates how data flows within a network, regardless of its physical design. Distances between nodes, physical interconnections, transmission rates, or signal types may differ between two networks, yet their topologies may be identical.