Having multiple computers at home or in an office connected in a network makes it easy to share the outside connection to the Internet or to another location. Adding a router or switch to a network allows one to share the communication connection between all the computers on the network. This is a real cost saving for the home or small office user. There are two primary topology techniques used today in the layout of networks. They are token ring and Ethernet.
Topology refers to the way the computers in the network are connected together.
Most Ethernet networks follow the IEEE 802.3 standard. In the star configuration, each computer node is connected via the cable to the hub or switch, which acts as the data transfer agent. In this configuration, all the computers are equal as to capability and can share resources such as printing and file storage. Clients do the work and the server acts as the file and resource provider. Servers handle file storage, printing, communication, and application service among other functions.