Network Topologies

Question 0

What are 2 advantages of using a ring topology

Answer 0

1) the network is not dependent on a central computer (server)
2) each computer has the same access as the others so no one computer can hog the network

Question 1

What is a ring topology

Answer 1

A rig topology is a peer to peer network because there is no server.
A ring topology:
All the computers are arranged in a circle
Data sent by one computer passes around the ring until it reaches the correct computer

Question 2

What are 3 disadvantages of a ring topology

Answer 2

1) if there is a break in the connection, then the whole network fails
2) faults are difficult to locate
3) it is impossible to keep the network running when adding or taking out equipment because there is only one path for the data to follow.

Question 3

What is the bus topology

Answer 3

With the bus topology, all devices connected to the network are connected to a common shared cable called the backbone. Signals are passed in either direction along the backbone.

Question 4

What are 3 advantages of the bus topology

Answer 4

1) cost effective because of the small amount of cable needed
2) simple cable runs make it easy to install
3) easy to add extra devices to the network

Question 5

What are 2 disadvantage of bus topology

Answer 5

1) if more than 12 devices are connected to the network, then the performance of the network is degraded
2) if there is a break in the backbone cable, then the network cannot be used.

Question 6

Does the bus topology have a server?

Answer 6

No

Question 7

What is the star topology

Answer 7

The star topology uses a central connection point to connect all the devices on the network together. The central connection point could be a Hub, switch or router.

Question 8

3 advantages of a star topology

Answer 8

1) fault tolerant - if one of the cables fail, then the other computers can still be used
2) load tolerant- extra computers can be added without much loss in performance because all computers have their own path to the hub.
3) easy to add extra computers- extra computers an be added without disturbing the network.

Question 9

2 disadvantages to the star topology

Answer 9

1) higher cost - large amount of cabling needed makes it a more expensive topology
2) dependence on central hub switch or router - if the device at the centre of the network fails, the whole network will fail.