What are 2 disadvantages of a star network? The Central Point of Failure
1. The Achilles' Heel
Okay, so here's the first — and arguably the biggest — downside: the central point of failure. Remember that central hub, switch, or router we talked about? Well, if that thing goes belly up, the entire network goes down with it. Poof! No internet, no shared files, no printing. It's like the conductor of the orchestra suddenly falling ill; the music just stops.
Think of it like this: if your home's electrical panel fails, everything connected to it loses power. Same principle here. All your network traffic relies on that central device to function properly. If it malfunctions due to a power surge, hardware failure, or even a software glitch, your entire network grinds to a halt. This can be a major headache for businesses, especially those that rely heavily on network connectivity for their day-to-day operations.
Mitigation strategies? Sure, there are ways to lessen the blow. Implementing redundancy is key. This means having a backup switch or router ready to take over in case the primary one fails. It's like having a spare tire in your car; you hope you never need it, but you're glad it's there if you do. Investing in a reliable, high-quality central device is also a good idea. Don't skimp on this; it's the heart of your network!
Regular maintenance and monitoring of the central device are also crucial. Keeping an eye on its performance, checking for error logs, and applying necessary updates can help prevent unexpected failures. It's like taking your car in for regular tune-ups; it helps keep everything running smoothly and prevents bigger problems down the road.
2. Increased Cost
The second disadvantage worth noting is the potential for increased cost. While star networks offer many benefits, they can sometimes be more expensive to implement and maintain than other network topologies, especially for larger networks. This added expense comes in a few different forms.
First, you need that central device — the hub, switch, or router. Good ones aren't free! The more devices you have on your network, the more powerful (and therefore more expensive) that central device needs to be. It's like needing a bigger engine for a bigger car; you need more horsepower to handle the load.
Then there's the cabling. Because each device connects directly to the central hub, you need individual cables running from each device. In a large office, that can mean a lot of cable! More cable means more money spent on materials and installation. Plus, managing all those cables can become a bit of a tangled mess if you're not careful. Think of it like spaghetti, but with Ethernet cables instead of noodles.
Finally, consider the ongoing maintenance costs. If the central device fails, you'll need to replace it. And if you're using a complex network setup with advanced features, you might need to hire a network administrator to manage and maintain it. These costs can add up over time, so it's important to factor them into your budget when considering a star network.
