Network Topologies Flashcards
What does a network topology show?
A network topology shows where the connections are made to devices in a network.
What is a bus network?
A bus network consists of one cable which each device connects to. A terminator is required at each end of the cable, without it the whole network would break for every device.
What is a ring network?
A ring network is when each computer is connected to exactly two other computer to form a ring. A token referring to a packet of data is passed from one computer to the next computer.
Give one advantage and disadvantage of a ring network.
The different types of advanatages you could have had:
Cheap to set up compared to other network topologies.
The different types of disadvantages you could have had:
One break in any wire or one computer is not working correctly will lead to network failure.
What is a terminator used for in a bus network?
A terminator is used to make sure data flows in one direction and doesn’t go back down the cable.
What is a star network?
Star networks are networks where every computer and device is connected to a centralised hub or switch.
Other information about star networks.
They are the most commonly used network topologies today. A cable is required to go from each computer to a central place.
How well did you know this information?
Give one advantage and disadvantage of star networks.
Advantages you could have had:
Packets of data can be sent to specific computers/devices wasting less resources and time.
If any cable or computer is broken, it will only affect that individual computer.
If a switch is used, evasdropping becomes very tricky.
Disadvantages you could have had:
Expensive - All the wiring required to go around.
If the central hub or switch is broken or not working properly, then every computer will be affected.
If a star network uses a hub, then evasdropping is a possible threat.
