Networking Explained, 2nd Edition

Chapter 2

Network Topologies, Architectures,

and the OSI Model

In this chapter we present several fundamental networking concepts. We begin with an

overview of network topologies, giving examples of the two most general designs on

which most topologies are based: point-to-point and broadcast. Next, we examine the con-

cept of network architecture. As part of this discussion we introduce the idea of “layering”

and present the Open Systems Interconnect (OSI) networking model as an example of lay-

ered architecture. We conclude the chapter with an introduction to TCP/IP and show how

it relates to the OSI model. An outline of the material we discuss follows:

• Concept of Network Topologies (Questions 1–2)

• Point-to-Point Networks: Star, Loop, Tree (Questions ...