In telecommunications, what is often a disadvantage of a ring topology?

In a ring topology, each device is connected to exactly two other devices, forming a circular pathway for signal transmission. One of the notable disadvantages of this configuration is the complexity involved in troubleshooting network issues.

When a problem occurs, such as a device failure or a break in the connection, it can be challenging for technicians to locate the issue. Unlike a star topology, where issues can be isolated to individual connections without affecting the whole network, a failure in a ring topology often causes a disruption in the entire network. Since each device relies on the others for data transmission, pinpointing the exact location of a fault requires more time and effort, leading to potential downtime. This characteristic makes troubleshooting more difficult compared to other topologies that offer easier identification of faults.

Other options may focus on factors like costs or installation ease, but they do not inherently relate to the fundamental issues related to identifying and solving problems in a ring topology.