Cisco CCNA (200-301)Network FundamentalsHard
A campus network designer wants every core switch to have a direct physical connection to every other core switch, maximizing redundancy so a single link failure cannot isolate any device. Which topology describes this design?
- AStar topology
- BHub-and-spoke topology
- CFull mesh topology
- DPartial mesh topology
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Full mesh topology
In a full mesh topology, every node has a direct connection to every other node, providing maximum redundancy and eliminating single points of failure between core devices. Partial mesh only connects some nodes directly, while star and hub-and-spoke rely on a central device.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Star topology relies on a single central device, creating a single point of failure.
- B. Hub-and-spoke is functionally similar to star, with a central hub connecting all spokes.
- D. Partial mesh connects only some devices directly, not all.
Full Mesh Topology
A full mesh topology directly connects every network node to every other node, offering maximum redundancy at the cost of higher cabling and complexity.
- Every node connects to every other node
- Formula: n(n-1)/2 links for n nodes
- High redundancy, high cost
- Common in critical core/data center designs
Memory trick: Full mesh = everyone is friends with everyone.