In terms of scalability, which topology is the least flexible?

In network topologies, scalability refers to the ability to add more devices or expand the network without major disruptions or overhauls. The bus topology is the least flexible in terms of scalability for several reasons.

In a bus topology, all devices are connected to a single central cable, known as the bus. This structure means that the network relies on the integrity of the central cable; if it fails, the entire network goes down. Adding new devices to the network requires additional cabling to be extended from the central bus, which can lead to increased traffic and potential bottlenecks. When more devices are connected, the performance can degrade significantly because all devices share the same communication medium, leading to collisions and increased latency.

In contrast, other topologies like star, mesh, and ring offer better scalability options. For instance, adding devices in a star topology involves connecting them to a central switch or hub without disrupting the rest of the network. Similarly, a mesh topology allows for individual connections between devices, providing paths for data transmission that don’t rely on a single cable, and a ring topology can often incorporate new devices by connecting them to the existing rings.

Thus, the bus topology's reliance on a single backbone for connectivity combined with potential performance issues as more