Which topology consists of devices connected to a common or shared cable?

Which topology consists of devices connected to a common or shared cable?

• A. Bus
• B. Ring
• C. Star
• D. Mesh

Answer: (A)

In a bus topology, all devices share a single backbone cable. Each node taps into this common line, so any signal sent by one node travels to every other node on the network. Because everyone can hear the transmissions on that shared medium, data collisions can occur if more than one device transmits at the same time, which is managed in older Ethernet networks with collision-detection methods like CSMA/CD. The shared medium also means the network can fail if the backbone is damaged, and proper terminators are used at the ends to prevent signal reflections. This pattern is what sets bus apart from ring (data travels around a loop), star (devices connect to a central hub), and mesh (multiple interconnections) topologies.

In a bus topology, all devices share a single backbone cable. Each node taps into this common line, so any signal sent by one node travels to every other node on the network. Because everyone can hear the transmissions on that shared medium, data collisions can occur if more than one device transmits at the same time, which is managed in older Ethernet networks with collision-detection methods like CSMA/CD. The shared medium also means the network can fail if the backbone is damaged, and proper terminators are used at the ends to prevent signal reflections. This pattern is what sets bus apart from ring (data travels around a loop), star (devices connect to a central hub), and mesh (multiple interconnections) topologies.