Chapter 2. LAN Topologies

The application in use, such as multimedia, database updates, e-mail, or file and print sharing, generally determines the type of data transmission.

LAN transmissions fit into one of three categories:

  • Unicast

  • Multicast

  • Broadcast

Unicast

With unicast transmissions, a single packet is sent from the source to a destination on a network. The source-node addresses the packet by using the network address of the destination node. The packet is then forwarded to the destination network and the network passes the packet to its final destination. Figure 2-1 is an example of a unicast network.

Unicast Network

Figure 2-1. Unicast Network

Multicast

With a multicast ...

Get Network Consultants Handbook now with the O’Reilly learning platform.

O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.