Ring Topology:
- In a ring topology, each node is connected to its neighbor on both sides.
- It forms a closed loop where data travels in a circular path.
- Each node receives data from one neighbor and forwards it to the next neighbor until it reaches the destination.
- It is a type of network topology commonly used in LANs (Local Area Networks).
- The ring topology is reliable because if one node fails, the data can still reach its destination by traveling in the opposite direction.
- However, if the main cable connecting the nodes is broken, the entire network can fail.
Bus Topology:
- In a bus topology, all nodes are connected to a common cable called a bus.
- Each node receives data from the bus and checks if it is the intended recipient.
- If not, the data continues to travel along the bus until it reaches the correct node.
- However, in a bus topology, each node can only communicate with one other node at a time, leading to potential network congestion.
- If the main bus cable is damaged or disconnected, the entire network can fail.
Mesh Topology:
- In a mesh topology, each node is connected to every other node in the network.
- This creates multiple paths for data to travel, increasing redundancy and reliability.
- Mesh topologies can be either full mesh, where every node is connected to every other node, or partial mesh, where only some nodes have direct connections to others.
- Mesh topologies are highly fault-tolerant because even if one or multiple nodes fail, data can still be routed through alternative paths.
- However, mesh topologies require more cabling and can be more expensive to implement compared to other topologies.
Tree Topology:
- In a tree topology, nodes are arranged in a hierarchical structure resembling a tree.
- The top node is called the root, and it branches out to multiple levels of child nodes.
- Each node in the tree has a unique parent except for the root node.
- Data travels from the root node to the child nodes and can also be transmitted between child nodes.
- However, in a tree topology, if the root node fails, the entire network can be affected.
- Tree topologies are commonly used in Wide Area Networks (WANs) or hierarchical organizations.
Therefore, the correct answer is Ring Topology where each node is connected to its neighbor on both sides.