What Is Network Configuration? – IT Glossary | SolarWinds

What are the types of network configuration?

Network administrators maintain a well-organized information repository of the network devices with details, such as device location or network address and device settings, as part of configuration management.  This configuration database works as a guiding source for admins while making updates and changes in the network.

Generally, network topologies denote various types of network configuration. Network topology refers to the systematic arrangement of nodes or devices in a network that allows them to exchange information.

Network topologies are of two types—physical and logical. Physical topology depicts the linkages between physical devices via cables, wires, etc., in a network. In contrast, logical topology denotes how information is transferred through a network. The way devices interact in a network is also a part of the logical topology.

Some of the popular physical network topologies are as follows:

• Bus: Every node or device in the network is connected in a linear order with a unidirectional data flow. Bus topology is cost-effective, but it can break down quickly when there’s high network traffic.
• Ring: Nodes are connected circularly, while data can flow in one or both directions as per needs. Ring networks are easy to set up and expand, but troubleshooting is often challenging.
• Star: A central server or node manages all other nodes with point-to-point communication. Star topology is commonly used in local area networks because of benefits such as centralized control, better security, and easy configuration. However, the entire network can crumble if the central server fails.
• Mesh: Nodes are linked in a web-like structure with point-to-point connections with every other node in the network. Data transmits through routing (shortest-path approach) and flooding methods (broadcast approach). Mesh networks are highly reliable but expensive to set up and maintain.
• Tree: Nodes are interconnected in hierarchical order with at least three levels. Tree network is an extension of star topology and is used in wide area networks (WANs).
• Hybrid: Hybrid combines two or more topologies. Organizations looking for flexibility in their IT infrastructure prefer hybrid networks.