Difference Between Tree and Star Topology

The main difference between tree and star topology is their structure. Tree topology has a hierarchical structure with devices connected in layers, like branches on a tree. The main “root” node connects to smaller hubs, making it ideal for large networks with many sections. Star topology has a centralized structure where all devices connect to a single hub. It’s easy to manage, but the network fails if the hub fails.

Star Topology

In star topology, each device is connected directly to a central hub (like a Wi-Fi router). All communication happens through this hub.

Tree Topology

Tree topology has a central root node that connects to other devices in a branching, tree-like structure. It’s similar to a family tree with main and smaller branches.

Star Topology vs Tree Topology

The following comparison table shows the difference between tree and Star Topology:

Feature	Star Topology	Tree Topology
Structure	Central hub with devices connected to it.	Hierarchical structure with a root node and branches.
Ease of Setup	Simple and easy to set up.	More complex because of multiple layers.
Scalability	Works well for small to medium-sized networks.	Works better for large networks with many sections.
Failure Impact	If the hub fails, the whole network fails.	If a branch or root node fails, only that section is affected.
Example	Wi-Fi network in a classroom or home.	A large office network with multiple departments.

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