Why do we need to learn topology(or also know as networking)such as nodes? I have to answer this question for a math report I am doing about them.
Since this is not my area of expertise, I searched Google under the key words "networking topology" to get these possible sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_topology
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesh_node
http://searchnetworking.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid7_gci213156,00.html
Although these sources relate mainly to computers, they could refer to other types of communication. A node could be a person receiving, sending and/or relaying information. For example, mail in the pony express, the typical topology would be the line, one rider transferring the information to another along the line. In contrast, a teacher lecturing to students in a class would be the star topology.
In the future, you can find the information you desire more quickly, if you use appropriate key words to do your own search.
I hope this helps. Thanks for asking.