Which routing topology maintains traffic flow to all locations if one communication path fails?

A mesh routing topology is designed to ensure that traffic can flow to all locations even if one communication path fails. This is achieved by having multiple pathways connecting different nodes in the network. In a mesh topology, each device can connect to multiple other devices, creating numerous possible routes for data to travel. If one connection goes down, data can be rerouted through alternative paths, maintaining connectivity and preventing a single point of failure.

This characteristic of mesh networks makes them particularly robust and reliable for applications where uninterrupted communications are critical. The redundancy built into the mesh topology is essential for maintaining operations in environments where network reliability is paramount, such as enterprise networks or environments requiring high availability.

On the other hand, other topologies, such as star, bus, and hybrid, do not provide the same level of fault tolerance. For instance, in a star topology, if the central hub fails, all devices connected to it lose connectivity. Similarly, the bus topology relies on a single central cable, so if that cable is damaged, the entire network segment becomes inoperable. Hybrid topologies can vary significantly in their design and may incorporate elements of multiple topologies, but they do not inherently ensure that traffic can flow through multiple paths like a mesh topology does.