(1) In a communications network, the pattern of interconnection between nodes; for example, a bus, ring or star configuration.
(2) In a parallel processing architecture, the interconnection between processors; for example, a bus, grid, hypercube or Butterfly configuration. See
bus,
grid,
hypercube and
Butterfly computer.
Network Topologies
These are the three major topologies used in networks. Ethernet uses bus, hub and switch topologies. Token Ring uses ring and switch. See
Ethernet and
Token Ring.