Computers and Computing

A Dictionary of Computing A Dictionary of the Internet Further reading

star network

A Dictionary of Computing | 2004 | | Copyright

star network A simple network topology with all links connecting directly to a single central node. Star networks work well when traffic consists of multiple secondary nodes communicating with a single primary node, e.g. computer terminals connected to a time-sharing host.

The main disadvantages of a star network are:

(a) central switch failure disrupts the entire network;

(b) circuit failures between the central switch and the terminals result in loss of user communication (no alternate paths);

(c) the cost of having every user directly connected to the central site may be very high for geographically distant (dispersed) nodes;

(d) total communication capacity is often limited by the speed of the central switch.

The main advantage of a star network is that the design of the end terminals may be very simple. See also network architecture.

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JOHN DAINTITH. "star network." A Dictionary of Computing. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN DAINTITH. "star network." A Dictionary of Computing. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O11-starnetwork.html

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star network

A Dictionary of the Internet | 2001 | | Copyright

star network A network centred on a hardware device called a CONCENTRATOR. Each computer in the network is connected to the concentrator which has the function of routing packets of data from one device on the network to another. It acts very much like an airline hub.

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DARREL INCE. "star network." A Dictionary of the Internet. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

DARREL INCE. "star network." A Dictionary of the Internet. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O12-starnetwork.html

DARREL INCE. "star network." A Dictionary of the Internet. 2001. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O12-starnetwork.html

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

	GERMANY'S STAR 21 NETWORKS DEPLOYS MICROMUSE'S NETCOOL. Newspaper article from: Worldwide Telecom; 4/1/2002
	FSK Transceiver features star network management.(Low Power FSK Transceiver... Magazine article from: Product News Network; 8/19/2010
	-Obopay and Star Network to cooperate on account transfers. Newspaper article from: Telecomworldwire; 9/9/2010