What is TCP/IP Networking Topologies?

Computer network topology is the way various components of a network (like nodes, links, peripherals, etc) are arranged

Topology can be physical or logical. Physical Topology is the physical layout of nodes, workstations and cables in the network; while logical topology is the way information flows between different components.

Bus Topology: All the node are connected to a single cable (called bus)

Star Topology: All the components are connected to a central device called Hub

Ring Topology: In Ring Topology, all the nodes are connected to each-other in such a way that they make a closed loop. Each workstation is connected to two other components on either side, and it communicates with these two adjacent neighbors. Data travels around the network, in one direction. Sending and receiving of data takes place by the help of TOKEN

Mesh Topology: In a mesh topology, each of the network node, computer and other devices, are interconnected with one another

Tree Topology: Tree Topology integrates the characteristics of star and bus topology

Hybrid Topology: Is a combination of  different topologies.

TCP IP is not topology it is an interface of communication between computers

TCP/IP requires for IP addressing also Ip communication.How an IP will be assign into various topology f network it defines it.There are various types of network topology to connect like bus,ring.star.mesh topology.

Topology in Network Design

Think of a topology as a network's virtual shape or structure. This shape does not necessarily correspond to the actual physical layout of the devices on the network. For example, the computers on a home LAN may be arranged in a circle in a family room, but it would be highly unlikely to find a ring topology there.

Network topologies are categorized into the following basic types:

• bus
• ring
• star
• tree
• mesh

More complex networks can be built as hybrids of two or more of the above basic topologies.

Bus Topology

Bus networks (not to be confused with the system bus of a computer) use a common backbone to connect all devices. A single cable, the backbone functions as a shared communication medium that devices attach or tap into with an interface connector. A device wanting to communicate with another device on the network sends a broadcast message onto the wire that all other devices see, but only the intended recipient actually accepts and processes the message.

Ethernet bus topologies are relatively easy to install and don't require much cabling compared to the alternatives.10Base-2 ("ThinNet") and10Base-5 ("ThickNet") both were popular Ethernet cabling options many years ago for bus topologies. However, bus networks work best with a limited number of devices. If more than a few dozen computers are added to a network bus, performance problems will likely result. In addition, if the backbone cable fails, the entire network effectively becomes unusable.

Ring Topology

In a ring network, every device has exactly two neighbors for communication purposes. All messages travel through a ring in the same direction (either "clockwise" or "counterclockwise"). A failure in any cable or device breaks the loop and can take down the entire network.To implement a ring network, one typically uses FDDI, SONET, or Token Ring technology. Ring topologies are found in some office buildings or school campuses.

Star Topology

Many home networks use the star topology. A star network features a central connection point called a "hub node" that may be a network hub, switch or router. Devices typically connect to the hub with Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) Ethernet.

Compared to the bus topology, a star network generally requires more cable, but a failure in any star network cable will only take down one computer's network access and not the entire LAN. (If the hub fails, however, the entire network also fails.)

Tree Topology

Tree topologies integrate multiple star topologies together onto a bus. In its simplest form, only hub devices connect directly to the tree bus, and each hub functions as the root of a tree of devices. This bus/star hybrid approach supports future expandability of the network much better than a bus (limited in the number of devices due to the broadcast traffic it generates) or a star (limited by the number of hub connection points) alone.

Mesh Topology

Mesh topologies involve the concept of routes. Unlike each of the previous topologies, messages sent on a mesh network can take any of several possible paths from source to destination. (Recall that even in a ring, although two cable paths exist, messages can only travel in one direction.) Some WANs, most notably the Internet, employ mesh routing.

A mesh network in which every device connects to every other is called a full mesh. As shown in the illustration below, partial mesh networks also exist in which some devices connect only indirectly to others.

Summary

Topologies remain an important part of network design theory. You can probably build a home or small business computer network without understanding the difference between a bus design and a star design, but becoming familiar with the standard topologies gives you a better understanding of important networking concepts like hubs, broadcasts, and routes.

TCP/IP NETWORKING TOPOLOGIES ARE THE MOSTLY PHYSICAL PHYSICAL NETWORK OF PC THAT ARE INTERCONNECT, WELL KNOWN AS LAN (LOCAL AREA NETWORK) BECAUSE THEASE ARE CONNECTED WITH A PHYSICAL CABLE, MOST PREFERRED TOPOLOGY IS STAR, THAT INSURE MAXIMUM SPEED.ANOTHER INVISIBLE TOPOLOGY IS MESH THAT IS USE ON WIFI NETWORK.

tcp/ip stands for transmission control protocol/ interent protocol. its a suit of communication protocols to connect hosts to internet. tcp guarantees the transfer of data and packets are send to the destination in a seaquened way as they were originated. networking topoligies simply are the ways by which we can connect systems and devices and make a network. popular topoligies are bus, ring, star, mesh