Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) NetworkingNetworking FundamentalsMedium
A small business has a single internet connection and wants to share it among multiple employees, each with their own computer. They also want to use a shared printer and file server within the office. What type of network topology is most commonly and economically implemented in this scenario?
- AStar topology
- BBus topology
- CRing topology
- DMesh topology
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Star topology
A star topology is the most common and economical choice for a small office network. All devices connect to a central device (like a switch or router), simplifying cabling, fault isolation, and management. Bus and ring topologies are largely obsolete for modern LANs, and mesh topology is typically used for high redundancy in critical networks, not small offices.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Bus topology is an older, less reliable topology where all devices share a single cable, prone to collisions and single points of failure.
- C. Ring topology connects devices in a circular fashion, often used in token ring networks, which are largely obsolete for typical LANs.
- D. Mesh topology provides high redundancy with many point-to-point connections, which is expensive and complex, overkill for a small office.
Star Topology
A star topology is a network arrangement where every node (workstation, server, or peripheral) is connected to a central hub, switch, or computer.
- Centralized management and fault isolation.
- Easy to add new devices without disrupting the network.
- Failure of the central device brings down the entire network.
Memory trick: Stars are Simple and Strong for Small Setups.