Network topology is the arrangement of various links and nodes (network switches) of a computer network. Above is a diagram of a double star network similar to the College network.
All the nodes are linked back to The Core via Edge switches. Access to the World Wide Web (The Internet) is dependent on all the connecting links and nodes being powered up and working. During the College network switch upgrade there will be periods of downtime depending on which switches were being upgraded.
For example – Upgrading Stacked switches at SAH will involve several interruptions in connectivity, but each interruption should only be for a minute or so.