LAN Topology

Computer networks are ever expanding, and a badly planned network can be inefficient and error prone. Unfortunately networks tend to evolve rather than be created and can become difficult to manage if not planned properly. Most modem networks have a backbone which is a common link to all the networks within an organization. This backbone allows users on different network segments to communicate and also allows data into and out of the local network. Figure 7.1 shows that a local area network contains various segments: LAN A, LAN B, LAN C, LAN D, LAN E and LAN F. These are connected to the local network via the BACKBONE 1. Thus if LAN A talks to LAN E then the data must travel out of LAN A, onto BACKBONE 1, then into LAN C and through onto LAN E.