Network Topology Quiz: Test Your Knowledge with Our Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the main characteristic of a star topology?

Devices in a star topology connect in a circular fashion

Devices in a star topology connect to a central hub (correct)

Devices in a star topology connect to each other directly

Devices in a star topology connect using multiple redundant connections

Which network topology uses a single cable to carry data?

Star topology

Mesh topology

Bus topology (correct)

Ring topology

In a ring topology, what happens if a link in the ring is severed?

The entire network becomes non-operational

Devices on either side loopback the connection (correct)

The ring topology reconfigures automatically

Data stops flowing around the ring

What is the primary purpose of using a mesh topology in larger networks?

To create multiple links between sites for fault tolerance Signup and view all the answers

Which type of network commonly uses controller area network (CAN) buses?

Wide area networks Signup and view all the answers

What is the major drawback of bus networks?

They are highly susceptible to cable breaks causing network segmentation Signup and view all the answers

What is the key feature of a ring topology?

Devices loopback the connection if a link is severed Signup and view all the answers

Which type of network uses a central hub to connect multiple devices?

Star topology Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary use of ring topologies in wide area networks?

For redundancy and fault tolerance Signup and view all the answers

What is the main benefit of using mesh topology?

It offers redundancy and fault tolerance through multiple connections Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes modern automobiles' network from other types of networks?

They use CAN buses to connect sensors and controllers Signup and view all the answers

Why are bus networks less common in modern networking systems?

They are susceptible to cable breaks causing network segmentation Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential drawback of using a star topology in a network?

Limited scalability due to reliance on a central hub Signup and view all the answers

In which scenario is a ring topology particularly advantageous?

When fault tolerance and redundancy are critical Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a bus network from other types of network topologies?

Susceptibility to network segmentation from cable breaks Signup and view all the answers

Why are mesh topologies preferred for larger networks despite their complexity?

Redundancy and fault tolerance through multiple connections Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic makes controller area network (CAN) buses suitable for modern automobiles?

High data transfer rates for real-time sensor data Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant advantage of using a switch in a star topology network?

Reduced data collisions and improved data flow Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Star topology, also known as hub and spoke topology, is a popular network topology where a central hub connects multiple devices.
Devices in a star topology do not connect to each other directly but instead connect to the central hub.
Star topology is used in various types of networks, including switched ethernet networks where an ethernet switch acts as the central hub.
Ring topology, although less common in local area networks, is used extensively in wide area networks for redundancy and fault tolerance.
In a ring topology, devices are connected in a circular fashion, allowing data to flow around the ring until it reaches its destination.
If a link in the ring is severed, devices on either side will loopback the connection to maintain communication and avoid data loss.
Bus networks, which use a single cable to carry data, were commonly used in early ethernet networks but are less common due to their susceptibility to cable breaks causing network segmentation.
Modern automobiles use bus networks, called controller area network (CAN) buses, to connect sensors and controllers.
In larger networks, a mesh topology is used to connect multiple devices or sites together using multiple connections for redundancy and fault tolerance.
Wide area networks often use mesh networks to create multiple links between sites, allowing for a primary and secondary connection.
Hybrid networks combine multiple topology types to create more complex networks, such as remote sites connected using a star topology and a wide area network using a ring topology.
Wireless networks can use infrastructure connections where devices communicate through an access point or ad hoc networking where devices communicate directly with each other without an access point.
Mesh wireless networks are commonly used for Internet of Things devices to allow them to communicate with each other regardless of their physical distance.
Mesh networks allow for self-healing and self-reconfiguration if devices are turned off or disconnected.

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Description

Test your knowledge on different types of network topologies such as star, ring, bus, mesh, hybrid, and wireless. Learn about the characteristics and applications of each topology.