By giving example, examine five practical factors which determine the choice of a network topology on computer laboratory ?

1. Scalability: The number of computers in the laboratory will determine the scalability of the network topology. For example, a star topology may be more suitable for a small laboratory with a limited number of computers, while a mesh topology may be more appropriate for a larger laboratory with a higher number of computers.

2. Cost: The budget allocated for setting up the network will also play a significant role in determining the choice of network topology. For example, a bus topology may be more cost-effective for a small laboratory with a limited budget, while a ring or mesh topology may be more expensive to implement.

3. Performance: The performance requirements of the laboratory will also influence the choice of network topology. For example, a ring topology may be more suitable for a laboratory that requires high-speed data transfer between computers, while a bus topology may be sufficient for a laboratory with lower performance requirements.

4. Reliability: The reliability of the network topology is another important factor to consider. For example, a star topology may be more reliable as it provides redundancy in case one computer fails, while a bus topology may be less reliable as a single point of failure can bring down the entire network.

5. Ease of maintenance: The ease of maintenance of the network topology is also a practical factor to consider. For example, a star topology may be easier to troubleshoot and maintain as each computer is connected directly to a central hub, while a mesh topology may be more complex to maintain due to the multiple connections between computers.