Final answer:
A star topology is defined by connecting several hubs to a switch. It provides centralized management and isolated failure for the peripheral nodes, but has a single point of failure at the central hub or switch.
Step-by-step explanation:
A topology that can be defined by connecting several hubs to a switch is known as a star topology. In a star network, each peripheral node (workstation or any other peripheral) is connected to a central node called a hub or switch. This arrangement allows for centralized management and troubleshooting, as the central node manages traffic and connectivity within the network.
With a star topology, the failure of a single peripheral node does not necessarily disrupt the entire network, as the other nodes remain connected to the central hub or switch. However, if the central hub or switch fails, the whole network can be affected. Therefore, star topology is scalable and robust for certain failures but also has a single point of failure in the hub or switch.