Data communication and Network – Network Topology MCQs

In a star topology, every node is connected to a central device (hub or switch) that acts as a conduit to transmit messages.

A bus topology is a multipoint connection where one long cable acts as a backbone to link all the devices in a network.

A hybrid topology is an integration of two or more different topologies (like star and bus) to form a single network.

Mesh topology is highly reliable because every node is connected to every other node, meaning there is no single point of failure.

These topologies are standard designs used for Local Area Networks (LANs) which cover small geographic areas.

In a bus topology, all data is sent over a shared backbone cable, making it possible for any node to potentially intercept data not meant for it.

A full mesh topology provides a dedicated bidirectional point-to-point link between every pair of nodes in the network.

Mesh topology is robust because failure of one link doesn't affect the network, and secure because data travels on dedicated lines.

Mesh topology requires a large number of cables because every node must be connected to every other node individually.

Fault identification is difficult in a bus topology because a break in the main cable can affect the entire segment without a clear indicator of the location.

Mesh, Bus, Star, and Ring are recognized topologies; 'Band' is not a type of network topology.

Bus topology is easy to install and cost-effective for networks with a very small number of computers.

Traditional Ethernet (10Base5 and 10Base2) was built using a physical bus topology.

Mesh networks, particularly wide-area mesh networks like the internet, rely on routers to determine the best path for data.

In a standard ring topology, data packets travel in a single direction around the ring from one device to the next.

Banks often use star topology because it allows for centralized management and ensures that one terminal's failure doesn't crash the whole system.

Terminators are used at both ends of a bus topology to absorb signals and prevent them from reflecting back and causing interference.

Mesh is favored for home automation (like Zigbee or Z-Wave) because devices can pass signals to one another, extending the range and reliability.

Bluetooth technology supports point-to-point connections, piconets (star-like), and adhoc/scatternet configurations.

The tree topology is hierarchical; the highest level node that has no parent is called the Root Node.