Lab Minutes Forum

Technical Discussion => Other => Topic started by: ozone007 on February 10, 2014, 06:26:15 AM

Title: Help me to understand topology
Post by: ozone007 on February 10, 2014, 06:26:15 AM
hi guys i am very hard time to understand network topologies for example In this topology what can i understand is r3 is connected to FW1 in video when instructor explaining video I heard that it is connected through vlan 20 so that means there must be switch between these two device I am right or someone please explain me in details how to read topology ?


this is topology i am refering http://www.mediafire.com/view/cbv4rrw3i8h4crh
Title: Re: Help me to understand topology
Post by: adecisco on February 10, 2014, 08:31:07 AM
I guess you still need to do more training in network topology. Understanding network topology comes with regular study and experience of which when lacking can through one into confusion.

Now to the topology, you should be able to differentiate between physical and logical topology.

Physical topology show how the devices are connected to one another physically bearing in mind all interconnecting switches. Physical topology can be said to be Layer 2 topology. But logical topology will only shows you from IP addressing point of view or how they communicate with each other. In another word L3 perspective.

The diagram here is logical topology showing where ip addresses are assigned base on their subnet. It show how R3 communicate with FW. But between them is a switch through which the interfaces are connected. Because the switch function is not L3 function it is seen as transparent.

Here R3 f0/0 is connected to a switch port whose port is in vlan123 while FW F0/0 is connected to the same switch or it may be another on a port with the same VLAN 123. Although physically they are connected to switche(s) logical the can communicate with the switch transparently passing the traffic. Here there is not direct connection between R3 and FW. The same apply to FW F0/1 and R2 F0/1.

If this confuse you let me know where things get more confuse maybe I will have time to explain further.

Cheers..
Title: Re: Help me to understand topology
Post by: MC on February 10, 2014, 09:08:18 PM
Thank you adecisco for great explanation. If the connection between devices is labeled by VLAN, it immediately implies that they are connected through a switch. If two devices are physically connected back-to-back, the connection would be depicted as a straight line without the vertical line in between.
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