Question

COMPARE THE FOLLOWING LAN CONFIGURATIONS;
A.STAR
B.BUS
C.RING

Answer 1

The main differences between the three LAN configurations are the way the devices are connected and communicate with each other.

A. Star Configuration:
- In a star configuration, each device is connected to a central hub or switch.
- All communication between devices must go through the central hub, which can lead to congestion in high-traffic situations.
- If a single connection fails, it only affects the device connected to that connection, not the entire network.

B. Bus Configuration:
- In a bus configuration, all devices are connected to a single communication line or "bus."
- Devices communicate by broadcasting signals onto the bus, and all devices on the network receive these signals.
- If a single connection fails or there is a break in the bus, the entire network may be affected.

C. Ring Configuration:
- In a ring configuration, each device is connected to two other devices, creating a ring topology.
- Data travels in only one direction around the ring, passing through each device until it reaches its destination.
- If a single connection or device fails, it can disrupt the entire network.

Overall, the star configuration is more reliable and easier to manage, while a bus configuration is simpler and cheaper to implement. A ring configuration may offer more efficient data transfer in some cases, but it can be more susceptible to failure.