A logical network diagram illustrates the network architecture of a group of interconnected computers and other devices, such as printers, modems, switches, routers, and even mobile devices. These electronic components form the physical network that provides local area network (LAN) and wide area network (WAN) access to users. In addition to this, a physical network in one area can also be connected to the Internet, providing online access to all connected devices. How these components work together is shown in the diagram.
The information in a logical network diagram contains details that tell users how domain names are assigned, which servers perform specific tasks, and how all network components communicate with each other, frequently taking into consideration security and reliability. Domain names and Internet protocol (IP) addresses give individual components their identification. A physical network diagram shows the physical connections of network components, while a logical one shows how they relate and communicate with each other.
Most strong network designs require a sophisticated yet robust physical network diagram and a sensible logical network diagram. Before any physical connection is made or any software is installed, the network should have an architecture that is both efficient and elegant. This is why the creation of networking diagrams is often done with care and with much thought.
Network diagrams do not have to be complicated, and they can just be made using simple shapes with short but descriptive notes or labels. A flow diagram works great because it shows the flow of tasks and data between network components with the use of directional arrows. Tree diagrams may also help to show the hierarchy between network components and tasks. With the right kind of logic applied, diagrams can show different kinds of networks, including computer networks, artificial neural networks, and project management networks, among many others.
In a lot of ways, logical network diagrams are often more useful than physical network diagrams because of their ability to show how things work instead of just showing how things are connected. This type of diagram does not only show the connections between network components, it also shows information about these components and how they function in the larger scheme of things. There are a number of network diagram creation software applications available on the Internet. These applications usually come with templates and pre-drawn shapes and common symbols so users can simply drag and drop these components to create many different kinds of networking diagrams.