- A
Star
A star topology uses a central device to connect all end devices.
- B
Mesh
Why wrong: In a full mesh topology, every device connects to every other device directly.
- C
Bus
Why wrong: A bus topology uses a single cable as a backbone; all devices are connected in a linear fashion.
- D
Ring
Why wrong: In a ring topology, each device connects to two neighbors, forming a circular path.
Question 181 of 520
Star Topology: All Devices Connect to a Central Device
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 network topology connects all devices to a central device?
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
In a star topology, each device connects directly to a central device such as a switch or hub. This central device manages all communication between endpoints, meaning any data sent from one device must pass through the central point before reaching its destination. This design simplifies fault isolation because a single cable failure only affects the connected device, not the entire network.
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 this is correct
A star topology uses a central device to connect all end devices.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Mesh
Why it's wrong here
In a full mesh topology, every device connects to every other device directly.
When this WOULD be correct
A mesh topology would be correct for a question like: 'Which network topology provides the highest level of redundancy and fault tolerance by connecting every device to every other device?'
- ✗
Bus
Why it's wrong here
A bus topology uses a single cable as a backbone; all devices are connected in a linear fashion.
When this WOULD be correct
A bus topology would be correct for a question like: 'Which topology uses a single backbone cable to connect all devices?' or 'Which topology is simplest and cheapest for small networks with low traffic?'
- ✗
Ring
Why it's wrong here
In a ring topology, each device connects to two neighbors, forming a circular path.
When this WOULD be correct
A question asking 'Which topology connects devices in a closed loop where each device has exactly two neighbors?' would make ring the correct answer.
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.
✓StarCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
A star topology uses a central device to connect all end devices.
✗MeshWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
In a mesh topology, each device connects to multiple other devices, not to a single central device. The question specifically asks for a topology where all devices connect to a central device, which is the star topology.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A mesh topology would be correct for a question like: 'Which network topology provides the highest level of redundancy and fault tolerance by connecting every device to every other device?'
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse mesh with star because both involve multiple connections, but mesh lacks a central point. They might think 'central' refers to any hub-like structure, but mesh is decentralized.
✗BusWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
In a bus topology, all devices are connected to a single central cable (the bus), not to a central device like a switch or hub. The question specifies a central device, which is characteristic of a star topology.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A bus topology would be correct for a question like: 'Which topology uses a single backbone cable to connect all devices?' or 'Which topology is simplest and cheapest for small networks with low traffic?'
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse 'central cable' with 'central device', or recall that bus topology connects all devices to a common medium, mistakenly thinking that medium is a central device.
✗RingWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
In a ring topology, each device is connected to exactly two other devices, forming a circular data path, not to a central device.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A question asking 'Which topology connects devices in a closed loop where each device has exactly two neighbors?' would make ring the correct answer.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse ring with star because both involve a form of centralization in the logical path, but ring lacks a physical central device.
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 physical star topology with a logical bus topology (e.g., early Ethernet using a hub) and forget that a switch-based star creates a point-to-point logical connection, eliminating the shared medium and collision domain of a bus.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In modern Ethernet networks, the star topology is implemented using switches that perform MAC address learning and frame forwarding based on the destination address, which reduces collisions compared to a hub-based star. The central device can also support Spanning Tree Protocol (STP, IEEE 802.1D) to prevent loops when multiple switches are interconnected, a subtle behavior that candidates often overlook. In a real-world scenario, a star topology is the foundation of most enterprise LANs, where a collapsed backbone design uses a central switch to aggregate traffic from access switches.
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 practitioner preparing for the N10-009 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
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: Star — In a star topology, each device connects directly to a central device such as a switch or hub. This central device manages all communication between endpoints, meaning any data sent from one device must pass through the central point before reaching its destination. This design simplifies fault isolation because a single cable failure only affects the connected device, not the entire network.
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
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