A fully connected network is a communication network in which each of the node

Node (networking)

In communication networks, a node is a connection point, either a redistribution point or a communication endpoint . The definition of a node depends on the network and protocol layer referred to...

s is connected to each other. A fully connected network doesn't need to use switching

Switching

LAN switching is a form of packet switching used in local area networks. Switching technologies are crucial to network design, as they allow traffic to be sent only where it is needed in most cases, using fast, hardware-based methods.- Layer 2 switching :...

 nor broadcasting

Broadcasting (networks)

right|250pxIn telecommunication and information theory, broadcasting refers to a method of transferring a message to all recipients simultaneously...

. However, its major disadvantage is that the number of connections grows quadratically with the number of nodes, per formula


and so it is extremely impractical for large networks. A two-node network is technically a fully connected network.

See also

• Switched communication network
  Switched communication network
  In computer networking and telecommunications, switched communication network is a communication network which uses switching for connection of two non-adjacent nodes....
  
  
• Broadcast communication network
  Broadcast communication network
  In computer networking and telecommunications, a broadcast communication network is a communication network which uses broadcasting for communication between its nodes. They take messages from a single sender and transmit to all endpoints on the network....