A small office installs a network that uses a star topology, with each device connected to a central switch.
Give two advantages of a star topology.
Mark scheme
Award one mark for any of the following up to a maximum of two marks:
- If one cable/device fails, the other devices are not affected (1)
- Fast data transfer/high performance because each device has its own cable/connection (1)
- Easy to add/remove devices (1)
- Fault finding is easier because each device has its own cable (1)
- The switch forwards data only to the destination device, so other devices do not receive it (1)
Do not accept disadvantages, such as the whole network going down if the central switch fails
Do not accept fast/faster/reliable/more reliable on their own, without a reason
Example answers and how they were marked
Each device has its own cable to the switch, so if one cable fails the other devices are not affected. It is also easy to add another device.
Why: Failure isolation (1) and easy to add devices (1).
It is fast because each device has its own connection.
Why: Fast data transfer qualified by own connection (1), but no second advantage.
If the central switch fails, the whole network goes down.
Why: This is a disadvantage, not an advantage, so no mark.