Internet of Things (IoT) Practice Exam

Sometimes many devices share the same set of wires. What is this connection mode referred to as?

1. Train

2. Bus

3. Multi-point connection

4. Star

The correct answer is: Bus

The connection mode where many devices share the same set of wires is known as a bus configuration. In this arrangement, all devices are connected to a single communication line, which enables them to transmit and receive data across the same medium. This configuration is efficient in terms of wiring and can support multiple devices without the need for extensive cabling, making it a popular choice in various networking applications, particularly in IoT systems where numerous sensors and devices need to communicate with each other. The bus mode simplifies the addition of new devices to the network, as they can simply be connected to the existing wire without requiring a separate cabling system for each device. This can lead to reduced costs and easier installation. The nature of this setup does, however, require careful management to ensure that data collisions do not occur when multiple devices attempt to communicate simultaneously. In contrast, other connection modes, such as star or multi-point connections, involve different wiring topologies that do not share a single communication line among all devices. For instance, in a star configuration, each device is connected to a central hub, which manages the traffic independently. This can lead to different performance characteristics and considerations in network design. Hence, the term 'bus' precisely describes this shared wired connection structure.