In a star topology, data packets first go into which component before reaching their destination?

• A. End Device
• B. Central Node
• C. Router
• D. Hub

Answer: (B)

In a star topology, every device connects to a central node—the hub or switch. When a device sends data, the frame goes to that central point first. From there, the central node forwards it toward the destination, either by broadcasting to all ports (if it’s a hub) or by sending it to the correct port using the destination’s MAC address (if it’s a switch). Because all communication must pass through this central point before reaching its target, the first component involved is the central node. The end device is the source or final recipient, not the first hop; a router handles inter-network routing and isn’t inherently the first hop in a simple LAN star; a hub can be the central device, but the key idea is that data must go through the central node first.