Network topologies

Wireless (and wired) networks can be connected in several ways, for example:

Point to point: two nodes communicate only with each other. For example, a point to point link may connect two buildings.
Point to muliti-point: a central node can communicate with several remote nodes. Messages between two remote nodes must pass between the center. For example, the cellular phone system or broadcast TV.
Mesh: there are multiple paths between any two nodes. For example, a wireless network covering the downtown area of a city.
Ring: nodes are connected in a ring. For example a ring circling a campus or metropolitan area.

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