CompTIA Network+ Practice Test

Which characteristic is true of a star topology?

1. There is no single point of failure

2. All devices connect directly

3. Requires more cabling than bus topology

4. Devices communicate without a central node

The correct answer is: Requires more cabling than bus topology

In a star topology, all devices are connected to a central hub or switch. This configuration centralizes the network connections and facilitates communication between devices. The characteristic that a star topology requires more cabling than a bus topology is accurate because, in a star topology, each device has its own dedicated cable running to the central hub. This results in a higher total length of cable used compared to bus topology, where all devices connect through a single central cable. This design offers easier problem isolation and scalability since issues with one device do not affect the others; however, it does indeed require more wiring. In contrast, a bus topology uses a single cable for all devices, making it more efficient in terms of cable utilization but less robust against failures due to its single point of failure. The star topology's reliance on a central device means that if it goes down, the entire network can be impacted, establishing a clear distinction in the advantages and disadvantages between these topologies.