Star & Mesh Networks Flashcards
All 8 cards in this deck
What is a star topology?
A topology in which every device is connected by its own connection to a central device, usually a switch.
What is a mesh topology?
A decentralised topology where every device is connected to one or more other devices (in a full mesh, to every other device), giving multiple routes for data.
What are the steps to draw a star topology?
e.g. 4 computers and 1 switch
- Draw and label the central device: the switch.
- Draw and label the other devices around it: the 4 computers.
- Join each device to the switch with one line and add no other connections: 4 lines in total.
Give two advantages of a star topology.
Few data collisions so good performance, and devices can be added or removed without affecting the rest of the network.
True or false? In a star topology, if one cable fails the whole network stops working.
False. Only the device on that cable loses its connection; it is failure of the central switch that brings down the whole network.
Give two disadvantages of a (full) mesh topology.
It needs a large amount of cabling/connections so is expensive, and it is complex to set up and maintain.
A network must keep working even if one connection or device fails. Which topology should be recommended, and why?
A mesh topology, because there are multiple routes between devices so data can take another path — there is no single point of failure.
True or false? A mesh topology needs a central switch to control communication between the devices.
False. A mesh is decentralised — devices connect directly to one or more other devices, giving multiple routes for data.