What is a common disadvantage of using a ring topology?

In a ring topology, each device is connected to two other devices, forming a circular pathway for data to travel. One significant disadvantage of this configuration is the presence of a single point of failure. This means that if one device or connection in the ring fails, it can disrupt the entire network as the data cannot complete its journey around the ring. Consequently, the effectiveness and reliability of the network depend heavily on each component functioning properly.

Although other factors such as cost, scalability, and maintenance are also considerations in network design, the single point of failure in a ring topology poses a more critical risk to the overall operation and continuity of the network. This makes it essential for network administrators to implement measures to address or mitigate the risk of failure in such topologies.