backbone
1. a nontechnical name for spinal column
2. the main or central mountain range of a country or region
3. Nautical the main longitudinal members of a vessel, giving structural strength
4. Computing (in computer networks) a large-capacity, high-speed central section by which other network segments are connected
Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
backbone
[′bak‚bōn] (anatomy)
(computer science)
The portion of a communication network that handles the largest volume of traffic, usually employing a high-speed, high-capacity medium designed to transmit data over long distances.
(geology)
A ridge forming the principal axis of a mountain.
The principal mountain ridge, range, or system of a region.
(graphic arts)
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
backbone
(networking)The top level in a hierarchical network. Stub networks and transit networks which connect to the same
backbone are guaranteed to be interconnected.
See also: Internet backbone.
See also: Internet backbone.
This article is provided by FOLDOC - Free Online Dictionary of Computing (foldoc.org)
backbone
The part of a network that handles the major traffic. It employs the highest-speed transmission paths in the network and may also run the longest distances. Smaller networks are attached to the backbone, and networks that directly connect to the end user or customer are called "access networks."A backbone can span a geographic area of any size from a single building to an office complex to an entire country. A backbone can also be as small as a backplane in a single cabinet. See collapsed backbone, backplane, core router, edge router and ISP.
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