Quick Answer
The answer is bus topology. This is the correct choice because a bus network topology connects all devices to a single central cable, often called a backbone or trunk, using drop lines or taps to link each node. Data sent by any device travels the entire length of this cable, and each device checks the destination address to decide whether to accept the transmission. On the CompTIA ITF+ FC0-U61 exam, this question tests your understanding of physical network layouts, and a common trap is confusing bus with star or ring topologies, which use a central hub or closed loop instead. To remember it, think of a city bus route: one main road (the cable) with stops (devices) along the way, and the bus (data) travels the whole route until it reaches the right stop.
This FC0-U61 practice question tests your understanding of it concepts and terminology. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Which network topology connects all devices to a single central cable?
Ring
Why wrong: Ring topology forms a closed loop.
Star
Why wrong: Star topology uses a central device, not a single cable.
Mesh
Why wrong: Mesh topology has multiple interconnections.
Bus
Bus topology uses one main cable.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Bus
Option D is correct because a bus topology uses a single central cable, often called a backbone or trunk, to which all devices are connected via drop lines or taps. Data transmitted by any device travels along the entire cable, and each device checks the destination address to determine if it should accept the data. This contrasts with other topologies that use different physical or logical connection methods.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Ring
Why it's wrong here
Ring topology forms a closed loop.
Star
Why it's wrong here
Star topology uses a central device, not a single cable.
Mesh
Why it's wrong here
Mesh topology has multiple interconnections.
Bus
Why this is correct
Bus topology uses one main cable.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the 'single central cable' of a bus topology with the 'central device' of a star topology, mistakenly thinking a hub or switch is a cable, or they assume 'central' implies a star layout.
Detailed technical explanation
In a bus topology, the central cable is typically terminated at both ends with resistors to prevent signal reflection, which would cause data corruption. This topology was commonly used with coaxial cable in early Ethernet networks (10BASE2 and 10BASE5), where a single break in the backbone could bring down the entire segment. Modern networks rarely use bus topology due to collision domain issues and lack of fault tolerance, but the concept remains foundational for understanding shared media access methods like CSMA/CD.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A help-desk technician troubleshoots why a newly connected PC cannot reach shared printers on the same floor. The cable is good, the switch port is active, but the PC is in VLAN 20 and the printers are in VLAN 10. The uplink trunk only allows VLAN 10. A trunk being up does not mean every VLAN crosses it.
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FAQ
IT Concepts and Terminology — This question tests IT Concepts and Terminology — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Bus — Option D is correct because a bus topology uses a single central cable, often called a backbone or trunk, to which all devices are connected via drop lines or taps. Data transmitted by any device travels along the entire cable, and each device checks the destination address to determine if it should accept the data. This contrasts with other topologies that use different physical or logical connection methods.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
This FC0-U61 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-U61 exam.
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