Star Network Topology

Star Topology is the most common type of network topology that is used in homes and offices. In the Star Topology there is a central connection point called the hub which is a computer hub or sometimes just a switch.
In local area networks where the star topology is used, each machine is connected to a central hub. In contrast to the bus topology, the star topology allows each machine on the network to have a point to point connection to the central hub. All of the traffic which transverses the network passes through the central hub.



Advantages of Star Topology :
- A Star Network Topology is very easy to manage because of its simplicity in functionality.
- The problems can be easily located logically in a Star Topology and therefore is easy to troubleshoot also.
- The Star Topology is very simple in format so it is very easy to expand on the Star Topology.

Disadvantages of Star Topology :
- The Star Topology is fully dependent on the hub and the entire working of the network depends on the hub or the switch.
- If there are many nodes and the cable is long then the network may slow down.

Extended Star Network :
A type of network topology in which a network that is based upon the physical star topology has one or more repeaters between the central node and the peripheral or 'spoke' nodes, the repeaters being used to extend the maximum transmission distance of the point-to-point links between the central node and the peripheral nodes.

Distributed Star Topology :
A type of network topology that is composed of individual networks that are based upon the physical star topology connected together in a linear fashion – i.e., 'daisy-chained' – with no central or top level connection point (e.g., two or more 'stacked' hubs, along with their associated star connected nodes or 'spokes').