How does lan architecture differ from a lan topology?

Answer 1

The LAN Topology is only one of the parts that make up a LAN Architecture. The Topology refers to the way the components in a network are physically connected and the most common Topologies in Ethernet are: Bus, Token Ring, and Star. Bus consists of a single cable segment with all the components connected to that single cable with T-connectors; Token Ring consists of, as the name implies, a cable ring to which all the components are connected and in which data flows in one direction except in the case of an interruption in the ring caused by a computer being down and a token is passed between the computers with whomever holds the token having transmit priority; the last and most currently used is the Star Topology in which all the components are connected to a switch that controls traffic between them. The Architecture encompasses more than just the Topology, defining the type of media (Twisted Pair/Fiber Optic) used to transmit the data, the speed of the transmission, the type of signal (base or broadband), and the maximum length of a segment of cable. Look up IEEE Ethernet Standards for Wired Networks for more information. Whoever answered this question before saying there's no difference has no idea what they're talking about, take it from someone who is studying Information Systems in business and is taking a test on precisely this subject in a LAN class the day after writing this. I hope I answered your question satisfactorily.