the star topology reduces the probability of a network failure by connecting all of the peripheral nodes (computers, etc.) to a central node. when the physical star topology is applied to a logical bus network such as ethernet, this central node (traditionally a hub) rebroadcasts all transmissions received from any peripheral node to all peripheral nodes on the network, sometimes including the originating node. all peripheral nodes may thus communicate with all others by transmitting to, and receiving from, the central node only. the failure of a transmission line linking any peripheral node to the central node will result in the isolation of that peripheral node from all others, but the remaining peripheral nodes will be unaffected. however, the disadvantage is that the failure of the central node will cause the failure of all of the peripheral nodes also,