FC0-U71 Infrastructure Practice Question
A small office has a network with all devices connected to a central switch. If one device fails, only that device is affected and the rest of the network continues to function. Which network topology does this describe?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to confuse physical topology with logical topology — candidates may pick mesh because they think 'resilient' means mesh, but the key clue is the single central switch and isolated failure.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Star topology
A star topology connects every device to a central switch or hub, so each device has its own dedicated point-to-point link to the center. If one endpoint device fails, only that device loses connectivity; the central switch continues forwarding traffic among the remaining devices, so the rest of the network is unaffected. This matches the scenario described.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Star topology
Why this is correct
In a star topology every node connects to a central switch, so each link is independent. A single device failure therefore affects only that device, satisfying the stem's constraint that the rest of the network continues to function.
- ✗
Ring topology
Why it's wrong here
A ring topology passes frames node to node around a closed loop, so a single failed device or link breaks the ring and disrupts the whole network unless a dual-ring or bypass mechanism exists. It is tempting because rings give deterministic, orderly access, and it would be correct for token-passing networks such as FDDI.
- ✗
Bus topology
Why it's wrong here
A bus topology uses a shared backbone cable, so a break in that backbone or its terminators halts all communication, not just the failed device. It is tempting because bus networks are cheap and simple to cable, and it would be correct for a small legacy network where every node taps one common medium.
- ✗
Mesh topology
Why it's wrong here
A full mesh connects every device directly to every other, with no central switch; each node needs multiple interfaces and links. It is tempting because mesh offers redundant paths and high fault tolerance, and it would be correct where resilience matters more than cabling cost, such as a WAN core.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
This FC0-U71 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the FC0-U71 exam.