Which network topology is characterized by a central hub connected to all other nodes directly?

The network topology characterized by a central hub connected to all other nodes directly is the star topology. In a star configuration, all network devices, or nodes, connect to a single central hub or switch. This hub acts as a repeater for data flow. When a node wants to communicate with another node on the network, the data is sent to the hub, which then forwards it to the appropriate node.

One of the key advantages of the star topology is that it isolates each node's connection. If one connection fails, it doesn't disrupt the entire network, as the remaining nodes can continue to operate unaffected. This topology also simplifies network management and troubleshooting due to its centralized nature.

In contrast, a bus topology features a single central cable (the bus) with all nodes connected along it, while a mesh topology has nodes interconnected in a way that allows multiple paths for data to travel, providing redundancy and better reliability. A ring topology connects each node to exactly two other nodes, forming a circular data path. Thus, while there are other topologies with different structural characteristics, the defining feature of a star topology is its reliance on a central hub for direct connections to all nodes.