What Does Star Topology Mean?
Star topology is a network topology in which each network component is physically connected to a central node such as a router, hub or switch.
In a star topology, the central hub acts like a server and the connecting nodes act like clients. When the central node receives a packet from a connecting node, it can pass the packet on to other nodes in the network. A star topology is also known as a star network.
Techopedia Explains Star Topology
Star networks require a point-to-point connection between the central node and connecting devices, unlike WiFi mesh systems. To improve communication between the devices on the network, the central node can provide signal reconditioning and amplification services.
Star topologies are often used in home networks. The benefits of a star network topology include the following:
- Limits the impact of a single point of failure. In star networks, each connecting node is isolated from other connecting nodes. If one connecting node goes down, it will not impact the performance of other connecting nodes in the network.
- Facilitates adding or removing individual components to and from a network. Star networks are usually kept small because network performance can suffer when too many devices compete for access to the central node.
