What does network topology describe?

Network topology refers to the arrangement of different network devices and how they interconnect with one another. This concept encompasses various physical or logical layouts, such as star, ring, bus, mesh, and hybrid topologies. Understanding network topology is crucial for network design and troubleshooting as it affects performance, scalability, and reliability of a network.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately represent the definition of network topology. While network protocols relate to the rules and conventions for communication between network devices, they do not describe the arrangement of those devices. The brand of networking hardware refers to the manufacturers of the devices, which is not relevant to the topological arrangement of the network. Similarly, the speed of the network connection pertains to performance metrics rather than the structure or layout of the network. Therefore, the arrangement of network devices is the accurate and comprehensive way to understand network topology.