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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Star and Ring Topology?

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The main difference between star and ring topology lies in the way nodes are connected in the network:

  • Star Topology: In this topology, all nodes are connected to a central hub or switch, forming a client-server connection. The hub serves as the focal point for data transmission, and all communication takes place via the hub. This topology is cost-efficient and suitable for local area networks (LAN). It is easy to add or remove nodes in this topology without disrupting the communication of other nodes.
  • Ring Topology: In this topology, nodes are connected to each other in the form of a ring or loop. Each node is connected to its left and right side nodes, and data flows in a circular manner from one station to another. This topology is peer-to-peer, and there is no master controller. It is costlier to set up compared to star topology and is suitable for wide area networks (WAN). Adding or removing nodes in this topology requires breaking the entire connection, which can disrupt the communication of other nodes.

In summary, star topology is characterized by a central hub with nodes connected directly to it, while ring topology features nodes connected in a circle with data flowing in one direction. Star topology is more cost-efficient and suitable for LANs, whereas ring topology is more expensive and suitable for WANs.

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  • What is the Difference Between Star and Ring Topology?
  • Comparative Table: Star vs Ring Topology

    • Comparative Table: Star vs Ring Topology

    Here is a table comparing the differences between star and ring topology:

    Feature Star Topology Ring Topology
    Data Transmission Data travels from the central hub or router to all the nodes Data travels from one node to the next in a circular manner
    Connection of Nodes Nodes are connected to a central hub or router Nodes are connected to their left and right side nodes
    Failure Point Only the hub is the failure point Every node is a failure point
    Adding New Nodes A new cable is added to the central hub to add a new node To add a new node, the entire connection must be broken down
    Removing New Nodes Moderately difficult to add and remove new nodes Difficult to add and remove new nodes
    Use Star topology is used for local area networks Ring topology is used for wide area networks
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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.