Point-to-point topology

In short: In a point-to-point topology exactly two devices are connected directly to each other.

In more detail: There is no third participant and no switching in between. The whole line belongs to the two ends. Examples are a cable directly between two computers, a leased line between two sites, a microwave link or a PPP connection.

In Depth

• Advantages: very simple, full bandwidth, low latency, easy to secure.
• Disadvantages: only one partner can be connected. If n devices should each talk directly to each other, n·(n−1)/2 lines are needed (45 for 10 devices), which is impractical. With many participants a star or a mesh network is used instead.
• Part of bigger networks: every line between two routers is itself a point-to-point link.

See also: network topologies, WAN