collapsed backbone

A network configuration that provides a backbone in a centralized location, to which all subnetworks are attached. A collapsed backbone is implemented in a router or switch that uses a high-speed backplane that can handle the simultaneous traffic of all or most of its ports at full wire speed.

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References in periodicals archive

A traditional distributed backbone migrates most naturally to the ATM-based distributed backbone, while the obvious successor to a physical collapsed backbone is a virtual collapsed backbone.

Network migration requires an understanding of real-life needs

The team selected a collapsed backbone system linking all 19 office buildings with singlemode and multimode fiber to a central headquarters, spliced to the IS building and linked to a Bay Synoptics 5000 Ethernet hub.

The challenge of distance networking

In a frame-based virtual collapsed backbone, workgroup- level frame switches replace (or assist) overtaxed shared-media hubs and ease desktop bottlenecks.

Network architectures and configuration choices

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