A distributed backbone is a backbone network

Backbone network

A backbone network or network backbone is a part of computer network infrastructure that interconnects various pieces of network, providing a path for the exchange of information between different LANs or subnetworks. A backbone can tie together diverse networks in the same building, in different...

 that consists of a number of connectivity devices connected to a series of central connectivity devices, such as hubs, switches, or routers, in a hierarchy (Dean, 2010, p. 202). This kind of topology allows for simple expansion and limited capital outlay for growth, because more layers of devices can be added to existing layers (Dean, 2010, p. 202). In a distributed backbone network, all of the devices that access the backbone share the transmission media, as every device connected to this network is sent all transmissions placed on that network.

Uses

Distributed backbones, in all practicality, are in use by all large-scale networks. Applications in enterprise-wide scenarios confined to a single building are also practical, as certain connectivity devices can be assigned to certain floors or departments. Each floor or department possesses a LAN

Län

Län and lääni refer to the administrative divisions used in Sweden and previously in Finland. The provinces of Finland were abolished on January 1, 2010....

 and a wiring closet with that workgroup's main hub or router connected to a bus-style network using backbone cabling

Backbone Cabling

Backbone cabling is the inter-building and intra-building cable connections in structured cabling between entrance facilities, equipment rooms and telecommunications closets. Backbone cabling consists of the transmission media, main and intermediate cross-connects and terminations at these locations...

 . Another advantage of using a distributed backbone is the ability for network administrator to segregate workgroups for ease of management.

Possible design flaws

There is the possibility of single points of failure, referring to connectivity devices high in the series hierarchy. The distributed backbone must be designed to separate network traffic circulating on each individual LAN from the backbone network traffic by using access devices such as routers and bridges.

See also

• Backbone network
  Backbone network
  A backbone network or network backbone is a part of computer network infrastructure that interconnects various pieces of network, providing a path for the exchange of information between different LANs or subnetworks. A backbone can tie together diverse networks in the same building, in different...
  
  
• Backhaul
  Backhaul (telecommunications)
  In a hierarchical telecommunications network the backhaul portion of the network comprises the intermediate links between the core network, or backbone, of the network and the small subnetworks at the "edge" of the entire hierarchical network...
  
  
• Internet backbone
  Internet backbone
  The Internet backbone refers to the principal data routes between large, strategically interconnected networks and core routers in the Internet...
  
  
• Collapsed backbone
  Collapsed Backbone
  A collapsed backbone is a type of backbone network architecture.The traditional backbone network goes over the globe to provide interconnectivity to the remote hubs. In most cases, the backbones are the links while the switching or routing functions are done by the equipments at each hub...
  
  
• Parallel backbone
  Parallel backbone
  There are a few different types of backbones that are used for an enterprise-wide network. When organizations are looking for a very strong and trustworthy backbone they should chose a parallel backbone. This backbone is a variation of a collapsed backbone in that it uses a central node...
  
  
• Serial backbone
  Serial backbone
  A serial backbone is the simplest kind of backbone network. Serial backbones consist of two or more internet working devices connected to each other by a single cable in a daisy-chain fashion. A daisy chain is a group of connectivity devices linked together in a serial fashion. Hubs are often...