Which statement best describes Physical Topology?

• A. It describes how data is conceptually transferred, not the actual wiring.
• B. It describes the arrangement of cables and devices as they are actually connected.
• C. It defines the network's security policy.
• D. It defines the logical paths data takes.

Answer: (B)

Physical topology is all about the tangible hardware layout—the actual wiring and placement of devices and cables. It answers how devices are physically connected in the real world, such as which devices connect directly to which cables, where switches or hubs sit, and how cables run between them. That’s why the statement describing the arrangement of cables and devices as they are actually connected is the best fit.

Think of it as the hardware map of a network. The way data moves still depends on devices like switches and routers, but physical topology is about the concrete, cables-and-n hardware arrangement. In contrast, data flow or routing paths describe logical topology, which is about the paths data takes, not the physical wires. Policies like security rules are separate topics entirely.