Which one of these factors limits the physical topology of a network?
The physical limitations of a network can be determined by various factors, including:
1. Cable length: The maximum distance that a signal can travel over a specific type of cable before it starts to degrade and affect network performance. Different cables have different maximum length limits.
2. Signal interference: Interference caused by sources such as electromagnetic radiation, electrical noise, or physical obstacles can limit the signal strength or quality, thus affecting the physical topology.
3. Bandwidth limitations: The maximum data transfer rate supported by a specific type of cable or network technology. Higher bandwidth requirements may necessitate the use of specific cable types or network devices.
4. Equipment limitations: The hardware devices used in the network, such as switches, routers, or network interface cards, may have limitations on the number of connections they can support or the type of connections they can handle.
5. Cost considerations: The budget available for network infrastructure can also limit the physical topology. Building a network with advanced features or extensive coverage may require significant investment.
6. Scalability: The ability to expand or modify the network as the needs grow can be limited by the physical infrastructure. For example, adding new network nodes may be challenging if the existing cabling or equipment does not support it.
All of these factors can influence the physical capabilities and limitations of a network's topology.