Which of the following is a characteristic of a bus topology?

A bus topology is characterized by all devices sharing a single communication line. This means that each device, or node, on the network is connected to a common backbone cable, known as the bus. Communication between devices occurs over this shared line, and data sent from one device travels down the bus to reach other devices. This setup can lead to simpler layouts and reduced costs compared to more complex topologies where every device needs a distinct connection to a central hub or switch.

The usage of a single communication line provides both advantages and disadvantages. Its simplicity allows for easy addition of new devices without disrupting the existing ones, but it also means that if the bus fails, the entire network can go down, impacting all connected devices. This characteristic of sharing the communication medium is what distinctly defines the bus topology compared to other topologies like star or ring, where the layout and connections differ significantly.