In which topology are all network devices connected to a central network media or cable identified as the backbone?

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

Answer: (A)

A bus topology is defined by a single central backbone cable that every device taps into. All devices share this same medium, so data sent by one device propagates along the backbone and is seen by all others on the segment. The addressing and network protocol ensure only the intended recipient processes the frame, but collisions can occur when multiple devices transmit at the same time, which is why such networks often use contention management and terminators at the ends of the line to prevent signal reflections. This setup makes the trunk the backbone of the network.

This differs from a star, where each device connects to a central hub or switch with its own separate link, so there isn’t one shared backbone cable. A ring connects devices in a closed loop, circulating signals around the circle, and a mesh provides multiple interconnections between devices for redundancy.