Which of the following network topologies connects each node to exactly two other nodes, forming a closed loop?
Ring topology connects each node to exactly two neighbors, forming a continuous loop for data transmission.
Why this answer
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.
Exam trap
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.
How to eliminate wrong answers
Option A is wrong because a star topology connects all nodes to a central hub or switch, not to exactly two other nodes. Option B is wrong because a bus topology uses a single shared backbone cable where each node taps into the line, and nodes are not connected in a closed loop. Option D is wrong because a mesh topology (full or partial) connects nodes with multiple redundant paths, and each node typically has more than two connections, not exactly two.