Ring Continued
The ring topology has these advantages:
- It prevents network collisions due to the media access method or architecture required.
- Each station functions as a repeater, so the topology does not require additional network hardware, such as hubs.
However, as with any topology, disadvantages exist:
- Similar to a bus network, a failure at one point can bring down the network.
- Since all stations are wired together, to add a station, the network must be temporarily shut down.
- Maintenance on a ring is more difficult than on a star topology because an adjustment or reconfiguration affects the entire ring.