The Difference between Logical and Physical Design of a Network Essay

Physical and Logical Designs of a Network

The two important domains in networking are the physical and logical topology. These two layouts are important in networking; the connectivity between two computers can be made easier using either of these two domains. Physical network topography is based on the physical hardware used for the connection. A physical layout could be as a ring, or star. The physical design can be installed in different forms.

Bus layout: This pattern consists of a connecting cable that connects all the systems. Bus layout is installed with a cable that links the entire computers to a network. Its installation is inexpensive, upgradeable and performs well when used to link an office. The bus topology can be damaged easily because; its connections are externally installed, when this happens all connections would be terminated.

The kind of layout used to organize a physical topology would determine the efficiency in communication between the systems. The choice of physical topology can be influenced by

1. The cost of procurement and installation of various components.
2. The range or band: The higher the bandwidth of outflow the better the choice of physical topology.
3. Complexity of the network. To avoid complex problems, most network providers’ uses simple physical layout to connect one or two computers for communication.
4. Expansion: Network builders consider this option before choosing a layout; they would consider how easy it would be to upgrade the network when the need for expansions arises. The physical network design as the name implies, is the physical components used for installation. Physical layout of a network is the hardware on which the network topology is built. The elements of a physical network design consist of routers, cables, connecting cables, laptops, desktops, switches.

The features of the physical network layout consist of

1. Local Area Network: This hardware provides the environment for connectivity between two computers. The computers are wired with a connecting cable or connected using wireless means of connectivity. The connectivity between two computers is triangulated by an Internet connection.

Logical layout of a Network

Logical layout of a network can be defined as the mode of communication that connects two computers connected to a network. Logical layout consists of the outflow of data between two systems. In actual sense network connectivity is based on logical design of a network. The physical layout design is installed using logical design.

The logical network can also be upgraded and can be used to connect two or more computers together. Logical design of a network consists of virtual design while the physical design of a network describes the hardware functions of the network. Logical designs determine the flow of data or communication between two networks while physical design is a communication between two computers connected with cables.

For example, a physical design of a network can be upgraded to link two or three office buildings. The expansion would require an upgrade using logical design layout of a network. This would make it easy for information to be processed from any system in buildings at the same time.

Physical layout of a network is based on a logical layout. For example, an organization that installs a wide area network would be drawn as a single line diagram; this is a basic design of a physical layout. Thus, the explanation it means that logical design of a network can be developed or expanded using physical design while retaining its original characteristics.

Reference

HelpMe: The difference between logical and physical design of a network. (2013). Web.