Topology Design

Correct Answer: Star

The best network topology for a small company that requires easy scalability and simple troubleshooting is the Star topology. This is because in a Star topology, each device in a network is connected to a single, central node or switch. Any adjustments, additions, or changes to the network, such as adding or removing a device, involve only the one connection between that device and the switch which simplifies scalability. Moreover, in case of device malfunctions, the problem can be isolated without affecting the entire network, making troubleshooting simpler. On the other hand, the Bus topology would not be the best choice because the failure of one station can bring down the whole network, and adding or moving devices can cause network disruption. The Ring topology also lacks scalability and can create problems in troubleshooting as the failure of one device will break the entire ring. Finally, the Mesh topology, although providing high redundancy and reliable data transfer, often involves complex setup and maintenance, hence would not be ideal for a small company.

Correct Answer: Hybrid

The most suitable topology for a large organization's main office and branch office networks would be Hybrid. This choice allows the network designer to combine the best elements of multiple topologies. For example, they might use a star topology in the main office for better fault isolation and a bus or ring topology in a branch office for cost-effectiveness, manipulating the network based on the requirements of different office settings. The other topologies: Bus, Ring, and Star might not provide the necessary flexibility as they are based on specific network designs. The Bus topology uses a single backbone to connect all the network devices. If the backbone fails, the entire network would be down. The Ring topology connects devices in a closed loop sequence where each device is connected to exactly two other devices, making it less versatile for complex networks. The Star topology, though it provides better fault isolation, may not be cost-effective for smaller branch networks. Therefore, a Hybrid topology would be the most appropriate.

Correct Answer: Mesh

The Mesh topology is the best choice for a large organization that needs to maximize redundancy and fault tolerance. This is because in a mesh topology, every node (or device) in the network is connected to every other node. This means that there are multiple paths between any two nodes, providing redundancy. If one path fails, data can be routed along a different path, which contributes to fault tolerance. The other topologies (Bus, Ring, and Star) do not provide the same level of redundancy and fault tolerance. In a bus topology, all devices are connected to a central cable, or bus. This lack of redundancy means that if the bus fails, the entire network goes down. Similarly, in a ring topology, each device is connected to two other devices, forming a ring. If one connection fails, this can disrupt the entire network. Finally, in a star topology, all devices are connected to a central hub. Like a bus topology, if the hub fails, the entire network becomes inaccessible.