Star Topology is a form of LAN architecture is which nodes on a network are connected to a common central hub or switch, and this is done by the use of dedicated links.
- In this kind of topology all the cables run from the computers to the central location where they are all connected by a device called hub or switch (or host node).
- Each computer on a star network communicates with a central device that resends the message either to each computer or only to the destination computer, e.g. if it is a hub then it will send to all and if it is a switch then it will send to the only destination computer.
- When network expansion is expected and when the greater reliability is needed, star topology is the best.
Advantages:
1) It is easy to modify and add new computers without disturbing the rest of the network. 2) The center of the star network is a good place to diagnose the faults. 3) Single computer failure does not necessarily bring down the whole star network.
Disadvantages:
1) If the central device (or the host node) fails the whole network fails to operate. 2) Star networking is expensive because all network cables must be pulled to one central point, requires more cable than other network topologies.