Ethernet LAN Physical Topology

D.

The physical topology of a network describes how the devices are physically connected to each other. Ethernet is a widely used LAN technology, and there are several physical topologies that can be used for Ethernet LANs.

Among the options given, the physical topology that is commonly used for Ethernet LANs is the star topology, which is represented by option D. In a star topology, each device on the network is connected to a central hub or switch. The hub or switch acts as a central point of connection for all the devices, and data is transmitted between devices by sending it through the hub or switch.

One advantage of the star topology is that it is easy to troubleshoot, since problems can often be isolated to a single device or cable. Additionally, adding or removing devices from the network is relatively simple, since each device is connected directly to the hub or switch.

Other physical topologies that are used in LANs include:

• Bus topology: In a bus topology, all devices are connected to a single cable, with no central hub or switch. Data is transmitted by broadcasting it across the cable, and each device listens for data addressed to it. This topology is less commonly used in modern LANs, since it can be difficult to troubleshoot and can suffer from performance issues as more devices are added to the network.

• Ring topology: In a ring topology, devices are connected in a circular ring, with data transmitted around the ring from device to device. Each device acts as a repeater, regenerating the signal and passing it on to the next device. This topology can be efficient for transmitting data, but can be difficult to troubleshoot and can suffer from performance issues if a device fails or the cable is broken.

• Mesh topology: In a mesh topology, each device is connected to multiple other devices, creating multiple paths for data to travel between devices. This topology can be highly resilient, since data can be rerouted around failed devices or cables, but can be difficult to manage and can require a large number of cables and ports. It is typically used in high-reliability networks, such as those used in military or financial applications.