A mesh topology has many connections between devices.
Explain one reason why a mesh topology is resilient.
Mark scheme
Award up to two marks for a linked explanation such as:
- There is no single point of failure (1) because there is no central device that all the other devices depend on (1)
- If one device/connection fails, the network can still communicate/work (1) because data can be sent along another route between devices (1)
- A faulty device/connection can be bypassed (1) because each device is connected to more than one other device (1)
For both marks, the expansion must follow/associate with the statement.
Allow one mark for a correct point without a linked reason.
Allow 'the network can still communicate/work' as the outcome point and 'if one cable/connection breaks' as the failure point.
Allow 'reliable'/'robust' only when expanded with a reason, such as multiple routes or no single point of failure.
Do not accept 'it has many connections' on its own without saying why this makes the network resilient.
Do not accept 'mesh is faster' or 'data is backed up' as these do not explain resilience.
Do not accept 'it uses a central switch/device' as part of the explanation.
Example answers and how they were marked
There is no single point of failure (1) because each device is connected to several others, so data can take another route if one connection fails (1).
Why: Linked point (1) and reason (1): no single point of failure is explained by multiple connections and alternative routes.
If one device fails, the network still works.
Why: Awarded 1 mark for the correct outcome point; no linked reason about multiple routes or connections is given.
It is resilient because a central switch redirects data around a broken cable.
Why: No credit: the mark scheme does not accept a central switch in a mesh explanation, and no valid point about multiple routes is given.