3.05 Network topologies

Question 1

What is a topology?

Answer 1

A layout of a network

Question 2

What is a star topology?

Answer 2

All devices are connected to a central switch or server that controls the network

Question 3

List the pros of a star topology (three).

Answer 3

1. If a device fails or is disconnected, the rest of the network is unaffected
2. It’s easy to add more devices to the network
3. Better performance - all devices can transmit data at once to the central device (unlike ring network) and there are few data collisions (unlike bus network)

Question 4

List the cons of a star network (two)

Answer 4

1. If wired, every device needs a cable to connect to the central switch, which is expensive
2. If there is a problem with the central switch/swerver, the whole network is affected

Question 5

What is bus topology?

Answer 5

All devices are arranged in a line, connected to a single backbone cable. Devices send data in both directions- this causes data collisions and slows down the network

Question 6

What is ring topology?

Answer 6

Devices are connected in a ring. Data moves in one direction around the ring, so no data collisions, but only one device can send data at a time, and the data passes through many devices before reaching its destination

Question 7

What is mesh topology?

Answer 7

All devices are connected to each other, either directly or indirectly, without the need for a central server (i.e. decentralised)

Mesh networks send data along the fastest route to get to its target

Question 8

Give an advantage of mesh networks

Answer 8

No single point that the network can fail - if one device fails, data is sent along a different route to get to its target

Question 9

Give a disadvantage of mesh networks

Answer 9

Expensive if wired connections used, but they are now more practical with wireless connections

Question 10

What is the difference between a full mesh topology and partial mesh topology?

Answer 10

Full mesh topology: every device is connected to every other device directly

Partial mesh topology: not all devices are fully connected to each other