Network, Computer and Programming Resources

Network - Backbone Network

A backbone network is one with a central cabling scheme (the backbone) to which other networks are attached. Nodes in one network can talk to nodes in other networks by sending packets across the backbone network. The networks attaching to the backbone are known as access networks. Access networks may require a gateway or router to attach to the backbone network. A backbone network can be useful in decentralized corporations. For example, a backbone network might be used in a company in which each department has set up its own network and several different architectures are used. Since the backbone network leaves the access networks intact, those networks can continue operating as if they were not on the larger network. However, the backbone gives each of the networks access to the resources and data of the other access networks. One obstacle to a successful backbone network is the high bandwidth that may be required to handle potentially heavy traffic. Because of this consideration, fiber-optic cable is the most sensible cabling for backbone networks.