Ethernets and token rings give two other possible topologies. In an Ethernet, all hosts attach to the same wire, which is then called a bus (since it carries all of the signals and omnibus means everyone is Latin.)

Token rings are slightly more economical since there are N wires for N hosts. However, a break in one single wire can cause the other computers to have to redirect their signals to the other side, and the transit time for packets will increase. A single chain of hosts with wires between them is identical to a token ring with a broken wire, as shown in Fig. 23.11.3: