Which topology describes a network where each device connects to a central node or hub?

• A. Ring Topology
• B. Bus Topology
• C. Star Physical Topology
• D. Mesh Topology

Answer: (C)

This question is about how devices connect in different network layouts. The described setup, where every device has its own link to a central hub or switch, is called a star topology (physical star). In a star, the central node handles all communications and each device talks to others through that central point. This makes it easy to add or remove devices and to manage traffic, but it also means the central node is a single point of failure—if the hub/switch goes down, the whole network can be affected.

If you contrast with the other layouts: a ring topology connects devices in a loop so data travels around the circle; a bus topology uses a single shared backbone cable that all devices listen to; a mesh topology has multiple interconnections between devices for redundancy. The key trait here is the central hub connection from every device, which is the hallmark of a star topology.