Final answer:
In a star topology, centralized monitoring of traffic is a recognized advantage, as it allows for easier management and troubleshooting. While it can be considered more secure than a bus topology, it is subject to debate whether it allows faster technologies than a bus does, and it does possess a single point of failure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the advantages of a star topology in network design. Here are the advantages from the given options:
- a. Requires less cabling than a bus: This is not necessarily true. A star topology might require more cabling because each node connects to a central hub, as opposed to a bus topology where nodes are daisy-chained.
- b. No single point of failure: This is incorrect for a star topology because if the central hub or switch fails, the entire network goes down, hence there is a single point of failure.
- c. It is more secure than a bus: This can be considered an advantage. Due to the centralized nature of the star topology, it is easier to implement security measures like network access control and to monitor for unauthorized access.
- d. Allows faster technologies than a bus does: This advantage is somewhat ambiguous. While a star topology can support faster technologies, this is not exclusive to star topologies and depends on the technology used in the hub/switch and on the network.
- e. Centralized monitoring of traffic: This is a clear advantage of the star topology. Centralized management allows for easier monitoring, management, and troubleshooting of network traffic.
From the given options, e. Centralized monitoring of traffic is an established advantage of a star topology, and c. It is more secure than a bus is also considered an advantage.