Star topology

In short: In a star topology every device is connected by its own cable to a central device, usually a switch.

In more detail: This is the usual form of wired LANs with Ethernet today. Each device has its own line to the switch, and the switch forwards the data to the right port.

In Depth

• Advantages: easy to understand and expand, a faulty cable affects only one device, faults are found quickly, each device has its own line.
• Disadvantages: if the central switch fails, the whole network stops (single point of failure). More cable is needed than with a bus.
• In practice: cables often run from the rooms to the network cabinet (patch panel and switch). Several stars together make a tree.
• Wi-Fi: a Wi-Fi with an access point is logically a star as well.

See also: network topologies, cabling plan