During an annual network planning session, you’ve found a number of older Ethernet networks that are connected by 10-BASE2 coaxial cable. What might be some reasons for replacing this older bus network topology for another type (pick two)?
A) Any disconnection along the bus disrupts the communication for the entire network
B) Bus topologies are no longer supported in the IEEE specifications
C) The cabling for a coax bus is difficult to manage when adding, moving, or changing devices
D) Ethernet on a bus network is not compatible with Ethernet on other network types
The answers: A) Any disconnection along the bus disrupts the communication for the entire network
and C) The cabling for a coax bus is difficult to manage when adding, moving, or changing devices
There’s nothing technically wrong with using a bus topology network, but you should always consider some of the disadvantages of using this style of networking over a more modern star topology. Bus architectures are functionally a single link, and any disruption of that link can cause outages for the entire network. Coax-based bus topologies are also difficult to manage, since any change of device location requires some additional planning to find the best place to connect the device to the bus.
The incorrect answers:
B) Bus topologies are no longer supported in the IEEE specifications
Bus topologies are certainly supported in the IEEE specification, and it’s not too difficult to find network devices that can support this older style of Ethernet network. These days, almost all new Ethernet hardware exclusively uses RJ-45 connections instead of coaxial.
D) Ethernet on a bus network is not compatible with Ethernet on other network types
One of the big advantages that Ethernet has had through the years is its compatibility across many different topology types. Although you can’t directly connect one topology type to another, it is very easy to integrate different Ethernet topologies together with devices such as bridges, hubs, switches, or routers.
 |
Want to know more? Watch “Network Topologies.” Networks come in many different shapes and sizes. In this video, we’ll discuss the differences in Ethernet, WAN, and Token Ring topologies, and learn about the differences in client/server, peer to peer, and Windows Domain-based technologies. We’ll also take a tour through the myriad wired and wireless technologies, including ISDN, DSL, infrared, Bluetooth, and mobile wireless networks. |