TestOut LabSim A+ Certification Practice Exam

Which of the following topologies connects all devices to a trunk cable?

1. Mesh

2. Bus

3. Ring

4. Star

The correct answer is: Bus

The bus topology is characterized by connecting all devices to a single central cable, or trunk, which serves as the backbone for the network. In this configuration, each device, or node, taps into the main trunk cable and communicates over it, allowing data to travel in both directions. This structure is relatively simple and cost-effective, making it suitable for smaller networks. While other topologies like star, ring, and mesh have their own configurations and benefits, they do not involve a single trunk cable shared among all devices. The star topology, for example, employs a central hub or switch which each device connects to individually, rather than sharing a common trunk. The ring topology connects devices in a circular format, where each device is connected to two others, creating a loop. The mesh topology connects each device to multiple others, offering high redundancy and reliability. Thus, the defining characteristic of the bus topology is the use of a trunk cable which facilitates direct communication between all connected devices.