Top-Down Network Design, Third Edition

Chapter 5. Designing a Network Topology

In this chapter, you will learn techniques for developing a network topology. A topology is a map of an internetwork that indicates network segments, interconnection points, and user communities. Although geographical sites can appear on the map, the purpose of the map is to show the geometry of the network, not the physical geography or technical implementation. The map is a high-level blueprint of the network, analogous to an architectural drawing that shows the location and size of rooms for a building, but not the construction materials for fabricating the rooms.

Designing a network topology is the first step in the logical design phase of the top-down network design methodology. To meet a customer’s ...