Network Topologies
Question
Answer
1.
What does physical topology of
a network refer to?
The configuration of cables,
computers, and other peripherals
2.
What is Logical Topology?
The method used to pass information
between workstations
3.
What are the five main types of
Physical Network Topologies?
4.
How is a Star Topology
designed?
5.
List three advantages of a star
topology.
 Easy to install and wire.
 No disruptions to the network when
connecting or removing devices.
 Easy to detect faults and to remove
parts.
6.
List three disadvantages of a star
topology.
 Requires more cable length than a
linear topology
 If the hub fails, nodes attached are
disabled.
 More expensive than a linear bus
because of the cost of the hub.
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Star
Ring
Linear Bus
Tree
Mesh
with each node file server,
workstation and peripheral connected
directly to a central network hub
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7.
8.
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10.
11.
12.
13.
How does a ring topology
connect devices?
How many neighbors does each
device in a ring topology have?
What is the advantage of a ring
topology?
What is the disadvantage of a
ring topology?
What does a linear bus topology
use to connect all network
devices?
What does the backbone cable
function as?
What is a “terminator”?
in a circle
2
Minimizes the number of cables
needed
Failure of one device can take down
the entire network
a common backbone cable
a shared communication link
The backbone cable stops at each end
of the network with a special device
 Easy to connect a computer or
peripheral to linear bus.
 Requires less cable length than a
star topology
14.
List two advantages of a Linear
Bus Topology.
15.
List four disadvantages of a
Linear Bus Topology.
 Entire network shuts down if there
is a break in the main cable
 Terminators are required at both
ends of the backbone cable
 Difficult to identify the problem if
the entire network shuts down
 Not meant to be a stand-alone
solution in a large building
16.
The Tree Topology is a blend of
what?
a blend of star and bus networks
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17.
List two advantages of a Tree
Topology.
 Tree Topologies offer excellent
flexibility for expansion for
example; a single link to the
backbone cable can add an entire
group of star-configured devices
 Point-to-point wiring for individual
segments
18.
List three disadvantages of a
Tree Topology.
 Overall length of each segment is
limited by the type of cabling used
 If the backbone line breaks, the
entire segment goes down
 More difficult to configure and
wire than other topologies
19.
Which topology connects each
network device to many other
network devices?
List one advantage of a Mesh
Topology.
List four disadvantages of a
Mesh Topology.
20.
21.
22.
List the four things to consider
when choosing a topology.
Mesh Topology
Extremely fault tolerant
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Difficult to implement
Difficult to administer
Difficult to troubleshoot
Expensive
Money
Length of Cable Needed
Future Growth
Cable Type
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