Understanding Network Topologies

What is the most popular wired network topology today?

• Ring network

• Star network

• Bus network

• Full mesh network

Answer explanation

The star network is the most popular wired topology today due to its ease of installation, scalability, and fault tolerance. In a star topology, all devices are connected to a central hub, making it efficient for managing network traffic.

In a star network topology, what is the central device that all computers connect to?

• Router

• Hub

• Switch

• Modem

Answer explanation

In a star network topology, all computers connect to a central device, which is typically a switch. A switch efficiently manages data traffic between devices, making it the correct answer over a router, hub, or modem.

What happens if a connection breaks in a star network topology?

• The entire network fails

• Only the affected computer loses connection

• All computers lose connection temporarily

• The network speed decreases

Answer explanation

In a star network topology, if a connection breaks, only the affected computer loses connection. The central hub or switch allows other devices to remain connected, ensuring the rest of the network continues to function normally.

How does a hub differ from a switch in a network?

• A hub is faster than a switch

• A hub broadcasts traffic to all computers

• A hub is more secure than a switch

• A hub is more expensive than a switch

Answer explanation

A hub broadcasts traffic to all computers on the network, meaning all devices receive the same data. In contrast, a switch intelligently directs data only to the intended recipient, making the hub less efficient.

What is a disadvantage of using a hub instead of a switch?

• Higher security

• Lower bandwidth

• Easier installation

• More reliable connections

Answer explanation

Using a hub results in lower bandwidth because it shares the bandwidth among all connected devices, leading to potential congestion. In contrast, a switch provides dedicated bandwidth to each connection, enhancing overall network performance.

What is a full mesh network topology?

• Every computer is connected to a central hub

• Every computer is connected to every other computer

• Computers are connected in a circular pattern

• Computers are connected in a linear sequence

Answer explanation

A full mesh network topology means that every computer is directly connected to every other computer, allowing for maximum redundancy and reliability in communication. This distinguishes it from other topologies like star or linear.

What is an advantage of a full mesh network topology?

• Less cabling required

• Easier to set up

• Alternative routes for traffic if a connection breaks

• Lower cost

Answer explanation

A full mesh network topology provides alternative routes for traffic if a connection breaks, ensuring better reliability and redundancy. This is a key advantage over other topologies that may not offer such flexibility.

What is a disadvantage of a full mesh network topology?

• Limited connectivity

• High cost and impractical for large networks

• Slow data transfer rates

• Difficult to troubleshoot

Answer explanation

A full mesh network topology requires a direct connection between every device, leading to high costs and complexity. This makes it impractical for large networks, as the number of connections increases exponentially with each added device.

What is a partial mesh network topology?

• Every computer is connected to a central hub

• Some computers are connected to multiple others, but not all

• Computers are connected in a circular pattern

• Computers are connected in a linear sequence

Answer explanation

A partial mesh network topology allows some computers to connect to multiple others, but not all are interconnected. This differs from a full mesh where every computer connects to every other one.

How does a partial mesh network topology compare to a full mesh network topology?

• It requires more cabling

• It offers fewer alternative routes

• It is more expensive

• It is less reliable

Answer explanation

A partial mesh network has fewer connections than a full mesh, resulting in fewer alternative routes for data. This can lead to potential bottlenecks and less redundancy compared to a full mesh topology.