Two or more devices share a single link in ___________ connection.

Question

Prepp Team · Accepted Answer

Understanding Network Connections: Sharing a Link

In computer networks, devices need to connect with each other to exchange information. The way these devices are connected over a communication link determines the type of connection.

A communication link is the physical or logical medium used to transmit data between devices. Devices can share this link in different ways.

Types of Network Connections

Let's look at the common types of network connections, especially in the context of how links are used:

Point-to-Point Connection: This type of connection provides a dedicated link between two devices. The entire capacity of the link is reserved for transmission between these two devices. Think of it like a dedicated phone line connecting only two specific people.
Multipoint Connection: In a multipoint connection, three or more devices share a single link. The capacity of the channel is shared, either spatially (different devices use the link simultaneously) or temporally (devices take turns using the link). This is often referred to as broadcast or multidrop connections.

Analyzing the Question

The question asks about a scenario where "Two or more devices share a single link". Let's examine the options based on our understanding:

Unipoint: This is not a standard term used to describe a fundamental network connection type in this context.
Primary: This term is used in some protocols (like HDLC) to refer to one role in a connection (primary vs. secondary), but it doesn't describe how devices share a link.
Multipoint: As defined, this connection type specifically involves multiple devices (two or more) sharing a single communication link.
Point to point: This connection type involves only two devices, and they do *not* share the link in the sense that other devices are connected to the same link segment. The link is dedicated.

Comparing the question's condition ("Two or more devices share a single link") with the definitions, the Multipoint connection directly matches this description.

Conclusion

Therefore, when two or more devices share a single communication link, the connection is known as a multipoint connection.

Comparison of Connection Types
Feature	Point-to-Point	Multipoint
Number of Devices	Exactly two	Two or more
Link Usage	Dedicated, full capacity to two devices	Shared among multiple devices
Example Topologies	Dial-up line, dedicated leased line	Bus topology, shared Ethernet LAN (in earlier forms)

Revision Table: Network Connection Basics

Key Network Connection Concepts
Term	Description	Sharing of Link
Point-to-Point	Dedicated link between two devices.	No sharing with other devices on that specific link segment.
Multipoint	Single link shared by three or more devices (or two in some broader definitions).	Capacity is shared among devices.

Additional Information: Link Sharing and Topology

The concept of devices sharing a single link is closely related to network topology, specifically the bus topology. In a bus topology, all devices are connected to a single cable (the bus), and they all share the capacity of this cable. When one device transmits data, all other devices on the bus receive it, though only the intended recipient processes it.

Multipoint connections are efficient when data needs to be broadcast to many devices or when the total data traffic from all devices is less than the link's capacity. However, managing access to the shared link becomes crucial to avoid collisions (where multiple devices try to transmit simultaneously). Access methods like CSMA/CD (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection), used in older Ethernet networks, or polling in some systems, are employed to manage link sharing in multipoint environments.