What term refers to the physical or logical arrangement of network elements, including how devices are linked?

• A. Topology
• B. Topology Table
• C. Tombstone
• D. Token

Answer: (A)

Topology is the arrangement of network elements and the way they are linked, covering both the physical cabling layout and the logical connections that data travels through. This concept matters because it describes how devices connect, how many path options exist between nodes, and how resilient or scalable the network will be. For example, a star topology centers around a single hub or switch, a mesh offers multiple redundant paths, a bus shares a common backbone, and a ring connects devices in a closed loop. These layouts influence performance, fault tolerance, and ease of expansion. The other terms refer to specific, narrower ideas: a topology table is a routing-related data structure, tombstone is a deleted-entry marker in some systems, and a token is a control frame used in token-passing networks. The term that best fits the description of physical or logical arrangement and linking is topology.