Network topologies (star, bus, ring, mesh) in Computer Networks - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

🧠 Conceptual

intermediate

Understanding Star Topology

In a star network topology, what happens if the central device fails?

A All devices lose communication because the central device controls all connections.

B The devices continue communicating directly without the central device.

C The network automatically reroutes data through other devices to maintain communication.

D Only the device connected to the failed central device loses communication.

💡 Hint

Think about the role of the central device in a star topology.

In a star topology, all devices connect through a central device like a switch or hub. If this central device fails, none of the devices can communicate because the central device manages all data traffic.

📋 Factual

intermediate

Identifying Bus Topology Characteristics

Which of the following is a key characteristic of a bus topology?

A Each device is connected to a single central cable called the bus.

B Devices are connected in a closed loop forming a ring.

C Every device is connected to every other device directly.

D Devices connect to a central hub or switch.

💡 Hint

Recall the physical layout of a bus topology.

In a bus topology, all devices share a single communication line called the bus. Data travels along this cable to all devices.

🔍 Analysis

advanced

Comparing Ring and Mesh Topologies

Which statement correctly compares ring and mesh topologies in terms of fault tolerance?

A Ring topology can continue working if one connection breaks, but mesh topology cannot.

B Mesh topology provides higher fault tolerance because devices have multiple paths to communicate.

C Both topologies fail completely if any single device fails.

D Ring topology has better fault tolerance because data travels in both directions simultaneously.

💡 Hint

Consider how many connections each device has in both topologies.

Mesh topology connects devices with multiple paths, so if one link fails, data can take another path. Ring topology relies on a single path around the ring, so a break can disrupt communication unless special mechanisms are used.

🚀 Application

advanced

Choosing a Topology for a Small Office

A small office wants a network that is easy to set up, cost-effective, and simple to troubleshoot. Which topology is the best choice?

A Mesh topology because it offers multiple paths for data.

B Bus topology because it requires a central device.

C Ring topology because it uses less cable than star.

D Star topology because it is easy to manage and troubleshoot.

💡 Hint

Think about ease of troubleshooting and setup simplicity.

Star topology is popular in small offices because each device connects to a central hub, making it easy to isolate problems and add or remove devices without affecting the whole network.

❓ Reasoning

expert

Impact of Adding Devices in Mesh Topology

In a fully connected mesh topology with 5 devices, how many direct connections exist? What happens to the number of connections if one more device is added?

A There are 5 connections with 5 devices; adding one device increases connections to 6.

B There are 20 connections with 5 devices; adding one device increases connections to 25.

C There are 10 connections with 5 devices; adding one device increases connections to 15.

D There are 15 connections with 5 devices; adding one device increases connections to 21.

💡 Hint

Use the formula for connections in a fully connected mesh: n(n-1)/2.

In a fully connected mesh, the number of connections is calculated by n(n-1)/2, where n is the number of devices. For 5 devices: 5*4/2 = 10 connections. Adding one device (6 devices): 6*5/2 = 15 connections.