What is Star Topology? Diagram, Types and Uses

Star Topology is among the most dependable and extensively utilized network arrangements. Because of its centralized control, fault isolation, and scalability, it is particularly well-liked in Local Area Networks (LANs).

This article explains Star Topology in computer networks with a Diagram. It also covers the features, working, advantages, disadvantages, real-world applications, and comparisons with other topologies.

Furthermore, if you are interested in learning more about such topologies and how to implement them, you can check out our IT infrastructure courses.

What is Star Topology?

A Star topology is a network arrangement where different network devices, like computers, printers, are attached to a central hub, forming a star-like structure. The connecting nodes function as clients, while the hub, or center node, acts as a server.

The star topology simplifies network management and troubleshooting, as you can isolate a problem with one of your devices without impacting the network as a whole.

Star topology uses a spoke-and-hub architecture, in which each device communicates through the central hub and the hub manages message distribution, ensuring orderly and reliable data flow.

Star Topology Example

A home Wi-Fi network is a prime example of a star topology. The hub in this configuration is a wireless router. The router is directly connected to all devices, including tablets, laptops, smartphones, smart TVs, and Internet of Things gadgets. The router receives all requests before forwarding them to the appropriate device or the internet; therefore, these devices do not communicate directly with each other.

Diagram of Star Topology

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Features of Star Topology

Some features of star topology are:

1. There is centralized management in a star topology as all devices are connected to a central hub or switch, which controls and manages data flow across the network.

2. Devices (nodes) can be added or removed without disrupting the rest of the network, making it highly flexible.

3. You can troubleshoot each device separately without affecting the entire network.

4. It provides improved performance over topologies like Ring or Bus due to dedicated connections and reduced data collisions.

Types of Star Topology

Star topology can be categorized into different types based on implementation:

1. Passive Star Topology

A Passive Star Topology is the most basic type of star network, with a passive hub acting as the main point of connection. The hub merely forwards the data as it is received, and it does not process, enhance, or recreate signals. As a result, the network uses less power and is less expensive to deploy.

Performance degrades with longer cable lengths due to the absence of signal amplification, making it inappropriate for big or busy networks.

Advantages

● Inexpensive approach that works well for modest settings.

● Implementation is easy and requires little technological expertise.

● Uses less energy than active switches or hubs.

Disadvantages

● Data loss may result from signals being weaker over long distances.

● Both signal regeneration and error correction are absent.

● Every device receives the same data, which causes network congestion to increase.

2. Active Star Topology

The Active Star Topology enhances the inactive form by utilizing an active hub, which strengthens and regenerates signals before forwarding them, in addition to connecting devices. As a result, the network becomes more dependable and more appropriate for larger infrastructures.

Similar to repeating devices, active hubs support more nodes and lower data transmission faults. They cost more, though, and they need electricity, so a power outage might take down the entire network.

Advantages

● Improves performance by regenerating and strengthening signals.

● Allows for more connected devices on bigger networks.

● Increases the dependability of connectivity and lowers data loss.

Disadvantages

● More expensive than passive hubs.

● Requires an ongoing power source to operate.

● More difficult to troubleshoot and maintain.

3. Extended Star Topology

An Extended Star Topology allows for scalability. In order to create a hierarchical structure, several hubs or switches are connected to a central hub rather than a single hub.

Large corporations and campus networks, where several departments or buildings must connect under a single primary backbone, frequently use this configuration. Although the central hub increases capacity, it still isolates defects at the device level, making it a single point of failure.

Advantages

● Able to link a lot of gadgets together.

● Because a single node or hub failure does not impact the entire network, fault separation is simpler.

● Very scalable for expanding organizations and enterprises.

Disadvantages

● A central hub failure might bring down the entire network.

● Cost is increased by the need for more hardware and cabling.

● Adding too many layers could cause performance to suffer.

How Does Data Travel in a Star Topology?

In a Star Topology, the central device (such as a hub, switch, or router) has the most important function since it regulates the network's data transmission. Every node, like a computer, printer, or other device, has a dedicated link that connects it directly to this central device.

Data packets are sent to the central hub when a node wishes to communicate with another node. The hub, which operates at the physical layer, merely broadcasts the data to every device that is connected.

Every node verifies the packet's intended destination. All other devices delete the data, while the intended recipient processes it.

The process is more effective if the central device is a switch. Instead of broadcasting the data to every node, the switch looks at the packet's MAC address and only sends it to the intended device.

This method simplifies management, guarantees structured communication, and lowers the likelihood of data collisions when compared to bus topology. However, the entire network stops working if the central device fails, making it a single point of failure.

Components of Star Network

A star network contains the following components:

1. Central Hub/Switch: The central hub or switch is a star topology's central component. It controls device-to-device communication, guaranteeing effective data transmission.

2. Nodes: Nodes are the linked gadgets, including smart TVs, VOIP phones, printers, and PCs. Through a separate Ethernet cable, each node connects separately to the hub, guaranteeing dependable and effective data flow.

3. Cables: Ethernet cables (Cat5e, Cat6) serve as the hub or switch's backbone in a star architecture, joining every device. Every gadget has a dedicated line, which lowers collisions and guarantees steady operation. Troubleshooting is easy because the network remains intact even if one cable fails.

Advantages of Star Topology

The following are the advantages:

● Since every device is independently connected, troubleshooting becomes easier..

● Star networks are straightforward to set up because devices only need a single connection to the hub or switch, which makes the process less complex compared to topologies like mesh or ring.

● Adding or removing devices is simple. A new device just needs a cable connected to the hub, making the topology very flexible for growing networks.

● Star topology supports growth without redesigning the entire network. Whether you’re expanding from 10 devices to 100, you can just add more nodes or upgrade to a bigger switch.

● Because every device has its own dedicated path to the hub, data travels faster and more efficiently. This leads to higher throughput compared to shared-path topologies.

Disadvantages of Star Topology

The following are the main disadvantages:

● The biggest drawback of a star topology is its heavy dependence on the central hub or switch. If this device fails, the entire network stops functioning.

● Compared to bus or ring topologies, star topology requires more cabling and a central hub/switch, which increases the cost of installation.

● As the network grows, the sheer number of cables running from each device to the central hub can become difficult to manage.

● Once these are fully occupied, expansion requires additional hubs or switches, which complicates the network structure scalability and adds extra cost.

● If the hub or switch isn’t powerful enough to handle high traffic, it can become a bottleneck, leading to congestion, slower speeds, and reduced performance during peak usage hours.

● Running these cables across long distances, different floors, or multiple buildings can be costly, time-consuming, and physically challenging.

● The central hub must be carefully maintained to ensure network health. This includes applying firmware updates, installing security patches, etc. Such upkeep increases the overall operational workload for network administrators

Star Topology vs Other Network Topologies

The Star topology connects all devices to a central hub or switch, making it one of the most common and practical designs for modern networks. Unlike Bus, Ring, or Mesh topologies, the star design offers easy management and scalability but relies heavily on the central device.

Comparing Star with these topologies highlights its strengths and weaknesses in different use cases.

Star vs Bus Topology

Star vs Ring Topology

Real-World Applications of Star Topology

The following are some of the applications of star topology:

1. Corporate Offices

In modern workplaces, star topology connects employee computers, VoIP phones, and shared printers to a central switch. This design makes troubleshooting easy. If one system fails, others remain unaffected, ensuring business continuity.

2. Smart Homes

Smart homes rely on star-like networks, where the central router or hub connects to IoT devices such as smart lights, thermostats, and security cameras. This setup enables seamless automation and centralized control.

3. Universities and Research Labs

Academic institutions often use a star topology in labs where each computer is linked to a central server. It simplifies user authentication, controls access to research data, and facilitates efficient software distribution.

4. Banking and Financial Systems

Banks prefer star topology for connecting ATMs, teller systems, and secure servers. The centralized model ensures real-time transaction updates, high security, and quick recovery in case of a device failure.

5. Healthcare Facilities

Hospitals use star networks to link patient monitoring devices, nurse stations, and medical databases to a central server. This ensures accurate, timely data flow for patient care and diagnostics.

Conclusion

One of the most popular, scalable, and effective network topologies is the star topology. It is perfect for contemporary LANs and business settings due to its centralized control, fault isolation, and excellent performance.

Star topology is a popular option in many real-world applications because it balances cost, manageability, and performance when compared to other topologies.

By comparing it with other topologies, it is clear that the Star topology strikes a balance between performance, manageability, and cost, making it a preferred choice in most real-world applications.