Figure 17-1 Network Topologies
Standard refers to the protocol that the network uses.
Ethernet is one example of a standard. An Ethernet
network uses a star topology with concentrators
connecting all the nodes in the network. Ethernet speeds
vary from 10 Mbps to 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps. Another
standard is Token Ring, which, as the name suggests, is a
ring topology type. Token Ring rates vary from 4 Mbps to
16 Mbps.
The size of a network is a bit of an arbitrary concept.
Network sizes fall into basically four network types:
Local-area network (LAN): A LAN is typically a single network for
an office, an enterprise, or a home, and it is located completely within a
single facility. Figure 17-2 shows an example of a LAN that consists of
various laptops, PCs, servers, and printers.