The performance of a LAN is determined, in part, by the characteristics of its operating system. This offers a greater opportunity for finding a LAN suitable for the user's unique operating and data processing requirements since no single operating system is optimal for all business environments. These technological issues are an integral part of a network and determine, in part, its performance and operating characteristics. While a technical knowledge of these issues is not needs to use a LAN, an awareness of their role permits a more knowledgeable application of LAN technology. It also aids in understanding network problems and determining an appropriate solution.
Network topology refers to the configuration used to physically link workstations and servers.
The three most commonly used topologies are the ring, star, and bus. As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, a ring uses a closed loop while a star uses a central hub as the communication pathway between network nodes. A bus, Figure 1, uses a central cable connected by shorter drop cables to link each workstation and server to the network. The communication configuration of each topology has certain advantages and disadvantages. A ring is the simplest topology for a network protocol to manage.