XYZ Technologies, Hyderabad is a company that deals with data science and AI projects. They have different div

Question

Q. XYZ Technologies, Hyderabad is a company that deals with data science and AI projects. They have different divisions ADMIN, SALES, PRODUCTION and SERVICE. The management wants to connect all the divisions as well as the computers of each division (ADMIN, SALES, PRODUCTION and SERVICE). Distance between the divisions is as follows: ADMIN to SALES: 69 m ADMIN to PRODUCTION: 84 m ADMIN to SERVICE: 60 m SALES to PRODUCTION: 110 m SALES to SERVICE: 135 m PRODUCTION to SERVICE: 90 m Number of computers in each division: ADMIN: 40 SALES: 75 PRODUCTION: 120 SERVICE: 20 Based on the above specifications, answer the following questions:

(i) Suggest the topology and draw the most suitable cable layout for connecting all the divisions in the Hyderabad office.

(ii) XYZ Technologies is having its head office in USA. Out of LAN, MAN and WAN, which kind of network will be created to connect Hyderabad office with USA Office? Justify your answer.

(iii) Suggest the division for the placement of server. Explain the reason for your selection.

(iv) Suggest the placement of Switch/Hub with justification.

(v) Where will a repeater be placed in the suggested network layout? Justify your answer.

CBSECBSE Class XII Board 2025Subjective· 5mImportance★★★★★

🔒 Locked · start free trial →

You're viewing a preview — the full solution, concept, methods & PYQ mapping are locked.

Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →

Concept understanding — Network Topology Types

Network Topology Types – A First Look

Imagine you and a few friends want to pass notes in a classroom. The way you arrange yourselves — who sits next to whom, who passes to whom — determines how fast the note travels, whether anyone can read it secretly, and what happens if one person is absent. That arrangement is the topology of your note-passing network.

In computing, a network topology is simply the physical or logical layout of computers, cables, and other devices. It answers the question: How are the devices connected to one another? The choice of topology affects cost, speed, reliability, and how easy it is to add or remove a device.

The Main Types You Need to Know

1. Bus Topology

Think of a single long rope lying on the ground. Everyone holds onto the same rope. If someone wants to send a message, they shout it along the rope, and everyone hears it — but only the intended person picks it up.

In a bus topology, all devices are connected to a single central cable (the "bus"). Data travels in both directions along this cable. It is simple and cheap to set up, but if the main cable breaks, the entire network stops working. Also, only one device can send data at a time, so performance drops as more devices are added.

Note

Bus topology was common in early local area networks but is rarely used today because of its single point of failure.

2. Star Topology

Now imagine a teacher sitting at the centre of the room. Each student has a direct line to the teacher. If a student wants to send a note to another student, they give it to the teacher, who then passes it on.

In a star topology, every device connects to a central hub or switch. The hub manages all communication. If one cable fails, only that device is affected — the rest of the network keeps working. This makes it more reliable than a bus. However, if the central hub fails, the entire network goes down. Star topology is the most common layout in homes and offices today.

3. Ring Topology

Picture a circle of friends, each holding hands with the person on either side. A note travels around the circle in one direction, passing from hand to hand until it reaches the right person.

In a ring topology, each device is connected to exactly two others, forming a closed loop. Data travels in one direction (or sometimes both) around the ring. Every device acts as a repeater, passing the data along. This means the network can handle heavy traffic well, but if any single device or cable fails, the entire ring breaks. Some modern rings use a "dual ring" to provide a backup path.

4. Mesh Topology

Imagine every person in the room has a direct phone line to every other person. No one needs to pass through anyone else. If one line is busy or broken, you can use another.

In a mesh topology, every device is connected to every other device. This provides maximum reliability — if one link fails, data can take another path. It also offers excellent privacy because data travels directly. The huge downside is cost and complexity: for $n$ devices, you need $\frac{n(n-1)}{2}$ cables. Mesh is used only where reliability is critical, such as in military networks or data centres.

5. Tree Topology

Think of a family tree: a main trunk (the backbone) with branches coming off it, and smaller branches off those. A message from one leaf to another travels up the trunk and down the appropriate branch.

A tree topology combines features of bus and star. It has a central root node connected to multiple star networks. This allows a network to grow in a structured, hierarchical way. It is often used in large organisations or campuses. The weakness is that if the main backbone fails, large sections of the network go down.

6. Hybrid Topology …

Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →

The most suitable topology for the Hyderabad office is a Star topology with a central switch; the server goes in PRODUCTION (most computers), and the Hyderabad-to-USA link is a WAN.

Let us work through the network design for XYZ Technologies. Four divisions — ADMIN, SALES, PRODUCTION and SERVICE — must be connected to each other, and the computers inside each division must be connected too. This is a standard CBSE Class 12 Informatics Practices networking case study, so we reason from the distances and the number of computers given.

Topology and cable layout The most suitable topology is a Star topology. In a star, every division is connected by its own separate cable to a central connecting device (a switch), rather than sharing one common backbone. This is preferred because a single cable fault then affects only one division instead of bringing the whole network down, and it is easy to add or troubleshoot a division. The central switch should sit where the total cable length to the other divisions is smallest. From the distances, ADMIN is closest to all the others — 69 m to SALES, 84 m to PRODUCTION and 60 m to SERVICE. Placing the central switch in ADMIN and running one cable to each other division gives a total of 69 + 84 + 60 = 213 m, the shortest layout. Inside each division the computers connect to that division's own local switch, and the four division switches link back to the central switch at ADMIN — a practical star-of-stars.
Note

A bus layout would use a single shared backbone, but a break in that backbone stops the entire network. For a four-division office the star's fault-tolerance and easy maintenance make it the better choice.
Network type for connecting Hyderabad to the USA head office The Hyderabad office and the USA head office are separated by thousands of kilometres, across countries. A LAN (Local Area Network) covers only a small area such as one building or campus, and a MAN (Metropolitan Area Network) covers a single city. Neither can span two countries. The correct choice is a WAN (Wide Area Network), which connects computers over very large geographical areas, typically using leased telecom lines or satellite/undersea links.
Important

WAN is correct because the distance is intercontinental; LAN and MAN are limited to a building/campus and a city respectively.
Placement of the server The server should be placed in the PRODUCTION division. Server placement in these designs follows the maximum-number-of-computers rule: put the server where the largest number of nodes are, so that most traffic travels the shortest distance and congestion is minimised. PRODUCTION has 120 computers, far more than SALES (75), ADMIN (40) or SERVICE (20), so it is the right location.
Placement of Switch/Hub …

Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →

Same / Similar Concept — real previous-year questions on the same or a closely similar concept, not this exact question.

CBSE 2024Set 90/1/11 markMCQ
$Q. In ______ topology, the devices are arranged in the form of multiple branches in hierarchical manner. (A) Star (B) Tree (C) Mesh (D) Bus$
›Reveal solutionSolution
The topology where devices are arranged hierarchically with multiple branches is called Tree topology.

Understanding how devices connect in a network is fundamental to computer science, and this arrangement is known as network topology. It dictates not just the physical layout but also how data flows and how resilient the network is to failures. Different topologies offer distinct advantages and disadvantages, making them suitable for various scales and types of networks.

Let's explore the options provided:

Tree Topology

Tree topology is a hybrid topology that combines characteristics of both bus and star topologies. In this arrangement, devices are organized in a hierarchical structure, resembling a tree with branches. A central "root" node connects to several "child" nodes, which in turn can connect to their own child nodes, forming multiple levels of hierarchy. Each branch typically represents a star network, connected to a central bus or backbone cable.

Imagine a large organization where different departments (like HR, Finance, IT) each have their own local network (a star topology). These departmental networks are then connected to a main backbone cable that runs through the building, much like a bus topology. This entire structure, with its main backbone and branching star networks, forms a tree topology.

Advantages:

Scalability: It is relatively easy to add new branches or segments to the network without disrupting the existing structure.

Fault Isolation: If a segment or branch fails, it typically does not affect the entire network, only the devices within that specific branch.

Management: It allows for centralized management of different segments, making it easier to administer large networks.

Suitable for Large Networks: Its hierarchical nature makes it ideal for large organizations with departmental structures.

Disadvantages:

Dependence on Backbone: The entire network relies heavily on the central backbone cable. If this main cable fails, the entire network collapses.

Complex Cabling: It requires more cabling than simpler topologies like bus or star, which can increase installation costs and complexity.

Cost: The equipment and cabling required can be more expensive due to its complexity.

Important

Tree topology is essentially an extension of the bus topology, where multiple star networks are connected to a central bus. This hierarchical arrangement is its defining characteristic.

Other Topologies

To provide a complete picture, let's briefly look at the other options: …
Start your 14-day free trial to see the full solution →

🎓Unlock everything free for 14 days

Unlock everything free for 14 days