Network topology

Hi there. Well, the usual is a simple bus-star using a switch to connect all the computers. It all depends on how many workstations and resources you're using. Then, you may be using wireless or want internet access and will need some kind of gateway. There are many scenarios in a small office network. If you like reading...try:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/plan/topology.mspx

Cruel, but it should help you. Good Luck!

Router -> small switch -> multiple small hubs coming off the switch ports -> divide the clients accordingly among the hubs.

Most small lans (that I've seen) have a star topology. All workstation connections go to a central junction box where they are connected to a hub (not as good) or a switch/router (better). The switches/routers usually have an uplink port to connect to additional switches/routers or to an internet gateway.

See this article explaining various topologies:

http://compnetworking.about.com/od/networkdesign/l/aa041601a.htm

Cheers.

RW

Kuryous and RW are correct that today most small LANs use a star topology or variations called star-bus or star-ring. I just thought I would throw out some links for you:

http://distancelearning.ksi.edu/demo/370/ch01d.htm

http://fcit.usf.edu/network/chap5/chap5.htm

http://www.delmar.edu/Courses/ITNW2313/topology.htm

Good Luck,

razz

use the bus topology

Well funny someone should ask this question since I was just reading about the stats of topologies in use in LANs today....and rest assured not only do most small lans, most medium to large lans use the star topology. In fact the star topology is significantly more used than any other today.

The Ethernet Star is actually a logical bus topology (functionally its a bus) but physically its a star so some take to calling it a star bus. I always call it star.

I disagree on folks saying attach hubs to the switches then the clients to the hubs.

That's the OLD way of networking. Switch prices have never been better either has feature sets on switches or selection. There simply isn't any excuses outside of monitoring reasons, for connecting clients to hubs over switches today.

Use the three layer approach...

Core
Aggregation
Edge

Have a beefier switch be your core, that's where you plug your servers into (and router), if your company/lan is very small (less than 50 nodes) you can actually skip the aggregation (because there's really not a lot to aggregate), then you buy a decent but not overly expensive switch with the features you NEED for your business model and that's your edge, your clients attach to the edge switch.

My network is designed on the 3 layer model, I have gigabit fiber aggregation connecting the edge and core. Because "true" core switches are big time bucks we don't have a true core...but logically its still configured that way as if we do.

Through-put is very high with this approach.