This topology consist of a central node to which all others nodes are connected by a single path. It is the topology used in most existing information networks involving data processing or voice communications. The most common example of this is IBM 370 installation. In this case mutiple 3270 terminals are connected to either a host system or a terminal controller.

Another popular topology for data network is the linear. this consists of a single length of the transmission medium onto which the various nodes are attached. The topology is used in traditional Data communication network where the host at 1 end of the bus communicates with several terminals attached along its length. the transmission from any station Travels the length of the bus in both directions and can be received by all other stations. the bus has Terminators at either and which absorb the signal removing it from the bus.

The 3rd topology that we will consider is the ring or circular. In this case each node is connected to two and only two neighbouring nodes. Data accepted from one of the neighbouring nodes and is transmitted onwards to another. Thus data travels in One Direction only, from node to node around the ring. After passing through each node, it returns to the sending node which removes it. It is important to know that data 'passed through' rather than 'travels past' each node. This means that the signal maybe amplified before being 'repeated' on the outward channel.

In this topology, each node is connected to more than one node to provide an alternative route in the case the host is other down or too busy. It is an extension to P--P network. The mesh topology is commonly used in large internetworking environments with stars, rings and buses attached to each node. This is also ideal for distributed networks.The mesh topology is excellent for long distance networking because it provides extensive backup, rerouting and pass through capabilities. Communication is possible between any two Nodes on the network other directly or by passing through. This function is needed in the event of a line or node failure elsewhere in the network.

A variation of bus topology is the tree topology. The shape of the network is that of an inverted tree with Central root branching and subbranching to the extremities of the network. Tree topology is best suited for applications which have a hierarchical flow of data and control. The tree topology is a modification of a pure network topology, bus topology, it is a hybrid topology.