Which topology involves cooperation among nodes to maintain connectivity by relaying data?

Which topology involves cooperation among nodes to maintain connectivity by relaying data?

• A. Star Network
• B. Ring Network
• C. Bus Network
• D. Mesh Network

Answer: (D)

This question tests understanding of how a network topology maintains connectivity through cooperative data forwarding. In a mesh network, each node can forward packets for others, creating multiple paths between any two points. This cooperation means the network can stay connected even if some nodes or links fail, because traffic can be re-routed via different routes. This self-healing, multi-path capability is not how star, ring, or bus topologies operate. A star relies on a central hub; if that hub or its connections fail, many devices lose connectivity, and there aren’t alternative routes. A ring uses a fixed loop path and doesn’t provide the kind of multiple, redundant paths that mesh offers. A bus shares a single communication line among all devices, with no mechanism for relaying data through multiple intermediate nodes to create alternate routes. Mesh networks are the ones built around cooperative relaying to maintain connectivity.

This question tests understanding of how a network topology maintains connectivity through cooperative data forwarding. In a mesh network, each node can forward packets for others, creating multiple paths between any two points. This cooperation means the network can stay connected even if some nodes or links fail, because traffic can be re-routed via different routes. This self-healing, multi-path capability is not how star, ring, or bus topologies operate. A star relies on a central hub; if that hub or its connections fail, many devices lose connectivity, and there aren’t alternative routes. A ring uses a fixed loop path and doesn’t provide the kind of multiple, redundant paths that mesh offers. A bus shares a single communication line among all devices, with no mechanism for relaying data through multiple intermediate nodes to create alternate routes. Mesh networks are the ones built around cooperative relaying to maintain connectivity.