Final answer:
The layout of the computers and devices in a communications network is known as topology. It defines the physical or logical arrangement of network elements.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct option that describes the layout of a network is C) topology. Network topology refers to the arrangement of different elements (links, nodes, etc.) of a computer network. It can be physical, showing the physical layout of devices, or logical, illustrating how data flows within the network. Examples of network topologies include bus, star, ring, mesh, and hybrid layouts.
When we discuss design architecture in engineering, it's about assigning the functional elements of a product to the physical components. However, in the context of computer networks, the term 'architecture' may refer to the design of the network system as a whole, including both hardware and software components, not the layout itself.