- A
Star
Why wrong: Star topology connects all nodes to a central device, not to two neighbors.
- B
Bus
Why wrong: Bus topology uses a single backbone cable; nodes are passively connected, not in a closed loop.
- C
Ring
Ring topology connects each node to exactly two neighbors, forming a continuous loop for data transmission.
- D
Mesh
Why wrong: Mesh topology interconnects nodes in a many-to-many fashion, not limiting each node to two connections.
Question 388 of 520
N10-009 Networking Concepts Practice Question
This N10-009 practice question tests your understanding of networking concepts. 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 of the following network topologies connects each node to exactly two other nodes, forming a closed loop?
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
✓
Ring
In a ring topology, each node is connected to exactly two neighbors, forming a closed loop where data travels in one direction (or sometimes dual-ring for redundancy). This is the only topology among the options that inherently creates a circular path with each node having exactly two connections.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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
Why it's wrong here
Star topology connects all nodes to a central device, not to two neighbors.
When this WOULD be correct
A star topology would be correct for a question like: 'Which topology uses a central device to manage all communications between nodes?'
- ✗
Bus
Why it's wrong here
Bus topology uses a single backbone cable; nodes are passively connected, not in a closed loop.
When this WOULD be correct
A question asking 'Which topology uses a single backbone cable to connect all nodes?' would make Bus the correct answer.
- ✓
Ring
Why this is correct
Ring topology connects each node to exactly two neighbors, forming a continuous loop for data transmission.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Mesh
Why it's wrong here
Mesh topology interconnects nodes in a many-to-many fashion, not limiting each node to two connections.
When this WOULD be correct
A question asking 'Which topology provides multiple redundant paths between any two nodes?' would make mesh the correct answer, as it offers full or partial connectivity for fault tolerance.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The N10-009 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓RingCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
Ring topology connects each node to exactly two neighbors, forming a continuous loop for data transmission.
✗StarWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
In a star topology, each node connects to a central hub, not to exactly two other nodes, so it does not form a closed loop.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A star topology would be correct for a question like: 'Which topology uses a central device to manage all communications between nodes?'
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse the visual appearance of a star with a ring, or mistakenly think that a star can form a loop through the central hub.
✗BusWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
In a bus topology, all nodes connect to a single central cable, not to exactly two other nodes, and it does not form a closed loop.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A question asking 'Which topology uses a single backbone cable to connect all nodes?' would make Bus the correct answer.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse the linear arrangement of a bus with the circular arrangement of a ring, or mistakenly think that a bus topology forms a loop because both are simple and often drawn as lines.
✗MeshWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
In a mesh topology, each node connects to multiple other nodes, not exactly two, and it does not form a closed loop; it provides redundancy through multiple paths.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A question asking 'Which topology provides multiple redundant paths between any two nodes?' would make mesh the correct answer, as it offers full or partial connectivity for fault tolerance.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse 'mesh' with 'ring' because both involve multiple connections, but mesh lacks the specific closed-loop structure of a ring.
Analysis generated from the official N10-009blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse a logical ring (like Token Ring or FDDI) with a physical star-wired ring, where the wiring appears star-shaped but the logical data path is a ring, leading them to incorrectly select 'Star' because they see a central device.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Ring topologies often use token passing (e.g., Token Ring, IEEE 802.5) or Media Access Control (MAC) mechanisms to prevent collisions, as data circulates in a deterministic order. In a single-ring failure scenario, a break can disrupt the entire network unless a dual-ring design (like FDDI) or a self-healing ring (e.g., SONET/SDH) is implemented. Modern networks rarely use physical ring topologies, but logical ring topologies (e.g., Resilient Ethernet Protocol, REP) are still deployed in industrial and carrier-grade environments for fast failover.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A network engineer at a university connects two campus buildings via a fibre link. Both routers run OSPF, but no adjacency forms — even though both routers can ping each other. The engineer finds one router is in area 0 and the other in area 1. OSPF adjacency requires matching area numbers, hello/dead timers, and network type. IP reachability alone is not enough.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this N10-009 question test?
Networking Concepts — This question tests Networking Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Ring — In a ring topology, each node is connected to exactly two neighbors, forming a closed loop where data travels in one direction (or sometimes dual-ring for redundancy). This is the only topology among the options that inherently creates a circular path with each node having exactly two connections.
What should I do if I get this N10-009 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This N10-009 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 N10-009 exam.
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