Which network topology allows for continuous network function even if one connection fails?

Mesh topology is designed to ensure continuous network functionality even if one connection fails. In a mesh network, each device is connected to multiple other devices, creating multiple paths for data to travel. This redundancy means that if one connection fails, data can still find an alternate route to reach its destination. This robustness makes mesh topology particularly suitable for environments where reliability is critical, as it minimizes the risk of a single point of failure affecting the overall network performance.

In contrast, other topologies like star, bus, and ring do not offer the same level of fault tolerance. For instance, in a star topology, if the central hub or switch fails, all connected devices lose network access. In a bus topology, if the main cable (the bus) experiences a break, the entire network can go down. Similarly, in a ring topology, if one connection in the loop fails, it can disrupt the entire network communication unless a secondary route is in place. Thus, the mesh topology's interconnected nature is what provides it with resilience against connection failures.