Mercy Hospital decides to install a netwrok to serviceits various wards and operating rooms and emergency room that will give them scheduling capibilities in real time. The ER and OR have less than 10 computer total but need preference to the server that manages schedules. What kind of channel access method works best for this situation? Explain how different network topology for Ethernet could also provide the same effect..

In this situation, a channel access method that works best is the "Priority-based" access method. This method allows certain devices, such as the server that manages schedules, to have a higher priority over others in accessing the network.

With a priority-based access method, the server responsible for managing schedules will be given priority access to the network over other devices, such as the computers in the ER and OR. This ensures that the schedules are managed and updated in real time without any delays or interruptions.

As for the network topology, Ethernet provides different options that can be utilized to achieve the same effect. Some of the commonly used network topologies in Ethernet are:

1. Star Topology: In this topology, all devices in the network are connected to a central hub or switch. This allows for easy management and control, as the server can be directly connected to the central hub, ensuring priority access to the network.

2. Ring Topology: In a ring topology, devices are connected in a circular manner, forming a closed loop. Each device receives and passes on data until it reaches the destination. While this topology may not directly provide priority access, the server can be placed at a strategic point in the ring, allowing it to have faster access to the network compared to other devices.

3. Mesh Topology: In a mesh topology, each device has a direct connection to every other device in the network. This can ensure that the server has a dedicated connection to all important devices, such as the ER and OR computers, allowing for faster and more efficient communication.

Overall, the choice of network topology should be based on factors such as the size of the network, the number of devices, and the required level of priority access for the server managing the schedules.