physical topology

IMHO....

I'm not sure what kind of experience you already have. A good Network+ test prep book can get you a good start. Serious study of network topology really requires a lot of hands on experience with rather expensive equipment. I would recommend taking a CCNA course. Many local community colleges offer these courses. I would NOT recommend taking this via distance learning online courses, because you REALLY need lab time and hands on experience to learn this stuff.

Hope this helps.

http://www.networkcomputing.com/

http://publib-b.boulder.ibm.com/Redbooks.nsf/RedbookAbstracts/sg242580.html?Open

Try these for starters. Cisco does a good job of teaching the basics, too.

Here is a good book that you could read. It would teach you the basics and the reading is easy. http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?userid=2WEDP488N6&isbn=1578700736&itm=5
(Switched, Fast, and Gigabit Ethernet by Sean Riley, Robert Breyer)