For n devices in a network, what is the number of cable links required for a mesh ring, bus, and star topology?

 

Here’s how the number of cable links required for mesh, ring, bus, and star topologies is calculated based on n devices:

1. Mesh Topology

   - In a full mesh topology, every device is connected to every other device.

   - The number of cable links required is equal to the number of unique pairs of devices.

2. Ring Topology

   - In a ring topology, each device is connected to exactly two other devices, forming a closed loop.

   - The number of cable links required is equal to the number of devices since each device connects to its two neighbors.

3. Bus Topology

   - In a bus topology, all devices are connected to a single central cable (the bus), and this bus is shared by all devices.

   - The number of cable links required is one main bus cable, which runs through the network. However, additional cables may be required to connect devices to the bus, but the bus itself remains a single line.

4. Star Topology

   - In a star topology, each device is connected directly to a central hub or switch.

   - The number of cable links required is equal to the number of devices, as each device requires one link to the hub.

Summary Table

The number of cable links in mesh topology increases exponentially, while the other topologies scale linearly with the number of devices.