200-301 Question 39
Single answerA company is designing a new network for their branch office. They require a topology that ensures a single device failure will not disrupt communication between other devices, while keeping costs and cabling complexity low. Which network topology should they choose?
- A
Star topology
- B
Bus topology
- C
Ring topology
- D
Mesh topology
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The star topology is most suitable for the company's requirements. It ensures that a single device failure will not disrupt communication between other devices, as all devices are connected to a central hub or switch. Additionally, it is more cost-effective and involves less cabling than a mesh topology, making it ideal for the branch office scenario.
- A. Correct.
Star topology connects all devices to a central device (e.g., a switch or hub). If one device fails, it does not affect communication between other devices, meeting the requirement in the scenario. Additionally, it is cost-effective and reduces cabling complexity compared to other fault-tolerant designs.
- B. Incorrect.
Bus topology involves a single communication line shared by all devices. While it is cost-efficient, a single failure in the cable can disrupt communication for the entire network, making it unsuitable for the scenario.
- C. Incorrect.
Ring topology connects devices in a circular manner, where data travels in one direction. If one connection fails, the network can be disrupted unless additional fault tolerance measures (like a dual-ring) are added, which increases cost and complexity.
- D. Incorrect.
Mesh topology provides full redundancy by connecting every device to every other device. Although it offers high fault tolerance, it is costly and involves significant cabling complexity, which does not align with the company's cost-saving requirements.