This key facts covers Quick Reference - Topologies Summary within Network Topologies for GCSE Computer Science. Revise Network Topologies in 3.5 Fundamentals of Computer Networks for GCSE Computer Science with 16 exam-style questions and 18 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 11 of 12 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Quick Reference - Topologies Summary
Star Topology:
- Structure: Central switch with radiating connections
- Advantages: Easy to add devices, isolated failures, easy troubleshooting
- Disadvantages: Central switch = single point of failure
- Use: Homes, offices, schools (most common!)
Mesh Topology:
- Structure: Multiple interconnections between devices
- Advantages: No single point of failure, very reliable, multiple paths
- Disadvantages: Very expensive, complex setup and management
- Use: Critical systems, data centers, ISP backbone
Bus & Ring (Historical):
- Bus: Single backbone cable - cheap but unreliable (obsolete)
- Ring: Closed loop with token passing (obsolete)
- Note: Both largely replaced by star in modern networks
The Golden Rule:
Star = Central switch (single point of failure) but cheap and practical. Mesh = No single point of failure (redundant paths) but very expensive. Always mention cost vs reliability trade-off!
Practice questions for Network Topologies
In a star network topology, all devices connect to which central component?
State two advantages of a mesh network topology. [2 marks]