Introduction to Networking
Computer networking is the practice of connecting multiple computing devices—such as PCs, servers, routers, and IoT gadgets—to facilitate communication and resource sharing over wired or wireless links Think of networks as digital road systems where nodes (devices) exchange data via links, following agreed-upon rules called protocols
3. Star Topology
3.1. Characteristics
Characteristics:
1. Most common topology in modern LANs.
2. Centralized management via the switch/hub.
Advantages: It's highly reliable because the failure of one device or cable doesn't affect the rest of the network. It's easy to add or remove devices, and troubleshooting is simpler since you can isolate problems to a single connection.
Disadvantages: It requires a lot of cable, which can increase cost. The central hub is a single point of failure; if it fails, the entire network becomes inoperative.