Canadian Health Information Management Association Practice Exam

If your network is shaped like a star, what is the primary reason to choose this topology?

1. Ease of adding computers

2. Does not go down much

3. Operates over great distances

4. Complex maintenance

The correct answer is: Ease of adding computers

Choosing a star topology primarily centers around its ease of adding computers to the network. In a star configuration, all devices are connected to a central hub or switch, which allows for straightforward expansions. When you want to add a new computer, you simply run a cable from the device to the hub. This setup minimizes disruption to the existing network and makes it convenient to integrate additional devices without major modifications or reconfigurations. The other options do not represent the main advantages of a star topology. While a star topology does exhibit resilience, meaning if one connection fails, it generally does not impact the other devices, the fundamental reason that it stands out is its straightforward scalability. Additionally, although star networks can operate across distances, this isn't universally true as performance may vary based on the specifications of the hub and the quality of the cabling. Lastly, maintenance is typically more manageable in a star topology since issues can usually be isolated to specific devices without affecting the entire network.