Introduction to basic networking concepts

Before exploring the specifics of switches and routers, it is important to understand some fundamental networking concepts. While we could not cover every networking aspect in this book, these foundational topics will help you understand network devices’ detailed workings and configurations.

Network topology

To start, we need to understand what network topology is and the different types that exist.

Network topology refers to a computer network’s physical or logical arrangement of different elements (links, nodes, etc.). It defines how devices are interconnected and how data flows between them:

Types of network topology

There are several network topologies, each with advantages and disadvantages. Let’s look at a few common topologies an auditor might encounter:

• Star topology: In this configuration, all devices are connected to a central hub, which acts as a repeater for data flow. A star topology...