This style of network operates via a main terminal, acting as the central host and connected terminals.  Due to its design the star network has some vulnerabilities, for example if the central hub fails so will the terminals connected to it.  This is due to the fact the central hub controls all the traffic of the connected computers.

 The Bus Network

With this topology all workstations are connected by a cable which can have a maximum length of about 500 metres.  This network can therefore only be used on a Local Area Network.  This network has no central hub and therefore requires one work station to act as a file server.

The Ring Network

This topology is also not suitable for a Wide Area Network, it has no host computer.  Messages between the stations flow in one direction, and can be altered in transit to the correct station.  The transmission rates of such a network are very high, yet if one node breaks down the other nodes will struggle to transmit information.