Logical topology
Encyclopedia
Logical topology is a network computing term used to describe the arrangement of devices on a network and how they communicate with one another.
How devices are connected to the network through the actual cables that transmit data, or the physical structure of the network, is called the physical topology
.
Logical topologies are bound to network protocols and describe how data is moved across the network. There are attempts to study the logical topology of the Internet
by network scientists such as Albert-László Barabási
.
There are also attempts by networks of individuals to deliberately manipulate internet topology, which could be referred to as virtual terraforming. Cases and possibilities include a distributed denial-of-service attack
(DdoS), in which virtual smart mobs
flood a site with hits/links, or correspondingly, cease all traffic/remove all links to a site; the strategic use of linkback
and reverse-linking to change the connectedness and therefore searchability of sites; and incorporating the long tail
into search engines, e.g. with an option to search for poorly linked sites. Internet topology may change dramatically as internet architecture moves from a conception of links that is binary (yes/no link) or spectral (strength of link) to one that is typological (type of link). For example, as Facebook
moves from a binary conception of relationship (yes/no friend) to a typological one (type of relationship) with its “How do you know [insert name]?” feature, the topology of its social network will change; specifically, its social network will become social graphs. If something similar were applied to links between sites on the internet, it would drastically terraform what identifies as the 4 continents of internet
How devices are connected to the network through the actual cables that transmit data, or the physical structure of the network, is called the physical topology
Network topology
Network topology is the layout pattern of interconnections of the various elements of a computer or biological network....
.
Logical topologies are bound to network protocols and describe how data is moved across the network. There are attempts to study the logical topology of the Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
by network scientists such as Albert-László Barabási
Albert-Laszlo Barabasi
Albert-László Barabási is a physicist, best known for his work in the research of network theory. He is the former Emil T...
.
There are also attempts by networks of individuals to deliberately manipulate internet topology, which could be referred to as virtual terraforming. Cases and possibilities include a distributed denial-of-service attack
Denial-of-service attack
A denial-of-service attack or distributed denial-of-service attack is an attempt to make a computer resource unavailable to its intended users...
(DdoS), in which virtual smart mobs
Smart Mobs
Smart Mobs: The Next Social Revolution is a book by Howard Rheingold dealing with the social, economic and political changes implicated by developing technology. The book covers subjects from text-messaging culture to wireless internet developments to the impact of the web on the marketplace...
flood a site with hits/links, or correspondingly, cease all traffic/remove all links to a site; the strategic use of linkback
Linkback
A linkback is a method for Web authors to obtain notifications when other authors link to one of their documents. This enables authors to keep track of who is linking to, or referring to, their articles...
and reverse-linking to change the connectedness and therefore searchability of sites; and incorporating the long tail
Long tail
Long tail may refer to:*The Long Tail, a consumer demographic in business*Power law's long tail, a statistics term describing certain kinds of distribution*Long-tail boat, a type of watercraft native to Southeast Asia...
into search engines, e.g. with an option to search for poorly linked sites. Internet topology may change dramatically as internet architecture moves from a conception of links that is binary (yes/no link) or spectral (strength of link) to one that is typological (type of link). For example, as Facebook
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
moves from a binary conception of relationship (yes/no friend) to a typological one (type of relationship) with its “How do you know [insert name]?” feature, the topology of its social network will change; specifically, its social network will become social graphs. If something similar were applied to links between sites on the internet, it would drastically terraform what identifies as the 4 continents of internet