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CompTIA Network + Exam Certification Exam Tutorial:

The Star Topology

By Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933

To pass the Network+ exam, you've got to master the details of the various network topologies in use today. Every topology has its benefits and drawbacks, but some have more benefits and some have more drawbacks! In today's Network+ exam tutorial, we'll take a look at star networks.

You know how you really have to use your imagination when you look at a constellation and you're supposed to see a big water dipper, or a little water dipper?  You'll have to use your imagination to see a star here, but this is a star topology:

Star Topology

 

We've got a switch in the center of this star topology, but we could also have a hub. You should know that the switch drawing shown here is universal, so if you see a 3D square with those arrows on top, that's a switch!

The star topology has better fault tolerance than a bus, but that's not saying a lot.  If the cable connecting Host A to the switch goes down, the ability of the other hosts to transmit data is unaffected.  Obviously, Host A will not be able to transmit.

 

Star Topology Fault Tolerance

 

Star topologies still have a single point of failure, though, and that's the device that connects the "points" of the star.  If the switch goes down, no host will be able to successfully transmit data.

 

Single Point Of Failure

 

Other benefits of the star topology:

  • When workstations are connected to their own switch ports, they can send data at any time, regardless of whether hosts connected to other switch ports are transmitting at the same time. 
  • Star topologies are highly scalable.  In the network we've been discussing, as long as you've got a switch port that's not in use, you can easily add hosts to the network without impacting other hosts.

A "drawback" to star topologies is that they do require more cable than a bus topology.  It's good to know that theory, but in the real world, a lack of cable is rarely if ever going to stop you from implementing a star topology over a bus.  You're going to see more star topologies than any other in today's real-world networks.

In contrast, you don't see a lot of ring topologies out there anymore, but just in case you bump into one on your Network+ exam or in a real-world network, you better be ready... and you will be after reading my next Network+ exam tutorial!

Join The Parade Of Successful Network+ Candidates Who Earned Their Certifications With My Exclusive Network+ Study Package and My CompTIA-Certified Network+ Video Boot Camp!

That's right, My Network+ Video Boot Camp has been certified with the CompTIA Authorized Quality Curriculum seal - that's as good as it gets!

CompTIA Network+ AQC Seal


"Chris, I passed the CompTIA Network+ certification exam this morning.I don't think I would have passed it without your help. Thank you for a great video! -- Gene Frazier, Network+ Certified!

"Hi There Chris: I just wanted to THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH for the great Network+ CD that I purchased from you. Thanks to you I passed the exam today and I just couldn't wait to get home and e-mail you. I have failed it a few times in the past especially by reading books only and it never worked.

I think you do an excellent job on the training and you explain things so well. Thanks again and keep up the great training because the next exam I choose to take will definitely come from a Train Signal CD taught by you!"
-- Charlene Fyda, Network+ Certified!

(Click That Network+ Video Boot Camp Link To Find Out How To Get A FREE Network+ Study Package!)

 

 

 

To your success,

Chris Bryant

CCIE #12933

chris@thebryantadvantage.com

 

 

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