Point to point topology and point to multipoint topology

Point to point topology

As the name point to point implies, point to point topology connects any two points (devices) in a network. Point to point is a one to one type of connection. Device can be any network device. Example a workstation or a router.

All the available bandwidth is dedicated for the two devices connected point to point.

If it is a computer to computer point to point topology, we use normal twisted pair cables to connect two devices. But it the connectivity is between router to router located at far distance, microwave-based point to point connection, leased line or dedicated fiber line can be used.

Point to multipoint topology

Point to multipoint connects one to many points. Point to multipoint topology provides multiple paths from a single device to multiple devices. Point to multipoint topology is typically used as a WAN (Wide Area Network) topology.

Following images shows a comparison between point-to-point and point-to-multipoint network topologies.