100-150 Question 35
Single answerYou are tasked with designing a network for a small office. The client wants the network to ensure redundancy and minimal downtime in case of a single cable or device failure. Which of the following physical or logical topologies would best meet the client's requirements?
- A
Bus topology
- B
Star topology
- C
Ring topology
- D
Mesh topology
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D
Explanation
The mesh topology is the best choice for ensuring redundancy and minimal downtime because it provides multiple paths for data to travel between devices. This design minimizes the impact of a single point of failure, making it highly reliable compared to other topologies.
- A. Incorrect.
Bus topology is a linear topology where all devices are connected to a single backbone cable. While simple and cost-effective, it lacks redundancy; if the backbone cable fails, the entire network goes down.
- B. Incorrect.
Star topology connects all devices to a central hub or switch. While it provides some fault tolerance for individual device failures, a failure of the central device will bring down the entire network.
- C. Incorrect.
Ring topology connects devices in a circular manner. While it can provide some redundancy with dual rings, it is generally less reliable and harder to troubleshoot compared to other topologies.
- D. Correct.
Mesh topology connects every device to multiple other devices, ensuring high redundancy and minimal downtime. Even if one cable or device fails, alternative paths are available for communication, making it ideal for the client's requirements.