Star Topology
In a star topology, all computers are connected through one central device known as a hub or a switch, as illustrated in Figure 1. Each workstation has a cable that goes from the network card to the hub device. One of the major benefits of a star topology is that a break in the cable causes only the workstation that is connected to the cable to go down, not the entire network, as with a bus topology. Star topologies are very popular topologies in today’s networking environments.
Figure 1: Star Topology
ADVANTAGES OF A STAR TOPOLOGY:
- Easy to install and configure: Star topology is simple to install and configure, making it easy to add or remove devices from the network.
- No single point of failure: Unlike bus topology, star topology does not have a single point of failure as each device has its own separate connection to the central hub or switch.
- Scalable: Star topology is scalable and can accommodate an increasing number of devices as the network grows.
- Easy to troubleshoot: Star topology makes it easy to diagnose and fix network problems, as each device has a separate connection to the central hub or switch.
- Improved performance: Star topology provides improved performance compared to bus topology, as it reduces the risk of collisions and congestion on the network.
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| Figure 2: Hub |
DISADVANTAGES OF A STAR TOPOLOGY:
- More complex: Star topology requires more components and cabling compared to bus topology, making it more complex to set up and manage.
- Higher cost: Star topology is more expensive than bus topology as it requires a central hub or switch, additional cabling, and other components.
- Dependent on the central device: The central hub or switch is a critical component in star topology, and if it fails, the entire network will be impacted.
- Limited cable length: The length of the cable connecting each device to the central hub or switch is limited, so the network may need to be reconfigured if the distance between devices exceeds this limit.
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