Canadian Health Information Management Association Practice Exam

What is the primary characteristic of a bus topology?

1. Each node connects directly to a central hub.

2. One main cable connects all nodes directly.

3. Uses a star arrangement for connections.

4. Combines elements of different topologies.

The correct answer is: One main cable connects all nodes directly.

The primary characteristic of a bus topology is that it consists of one main cable, known as the bus, which connects all nodes or devices directly in a linear arrangement. All data transmitted from one node travels along this single backbone until it reaches its destination node. This design is simple and cost-effective, requiring less cable than other topologies, like star or ring, where each device connects to a central point or loop. In a bus topology, because there is a single cable that all devices share, if the cable is compromised (e.g., damaged or disconnected), the entire network can be affected. This structure is straightforward for small networks but can lead to performance degradation as more devices are added due to increased traffic along the bus. Understanding this configuration is vital in network design as it lays the foundational differences between various topologies, which can affect network performance, reliability, and scalability.