The bus network
In a bus network all the workstationA computer connected to a network., serverA computer that holds data to be shared with other computers. A web server stores and shares websites. and printers are joined to one cable (the bus). At each end of the cable a terminatorA device that terminates signals to prevent them reflecting back down the line. is fitted to stop signals reflecting back down the bus.
Advantages and disadvantages of a bus network
The advantage of a bus network is:
- it is cheap to install, as it doesn't require much cable
The disadvantages of a bus network are:
- if the main cable fails or gets damaged the whole network will fail
- as more workstations are connected the performance of the network will become slower because of data collisions
- every workstation on the network "sees" all of the data on the network – this is a security risk