Backbone

A backbone network is a robust, high-speed network that links multiple local networks into a single wide-area network. Similar to how a person's backbone carries signals to and from smaller groups of nerves in their nervous system, a backbone network forms the central communications infrastructure that transmits data between networks. The largest backbone network connects ISPs around the world to create the Internet.

Computers on a network do not connect to a network backbone directly. Instead, each local network connects to its backbone through an edge router, which directs data packets to their destination using the most efficient route possible. A backbone typically uses faster transmission lines than an individual network — often a trunk of multiple fiber-optic cables. A connection to the backbone often maximizes its speed using link aggregation, which connects a device to several separate lines and sends data across them in parallel. For example, an edge router may link to five 10-gigabit fiber optic lines in aggregate to provide a single 50-gigabit connection.

The backbone network that forms the Internet consists of trunks of high-speed fiber optic cables owned by several global telecommunications companies, categorized as Tier 1 ISPs. All Tier 1 ISPs work together through peering agreements that allow the free flow of traffic between their networks via hundreds of high-speed linkages, called Internet exchange points, located around the world. Tier 1 ISPs provide Internet backbone connections to medium-sized (Tier 2) ISPs, who in turn provide service to large enterprises, data centers, and regional (Tier 3) ISPs.

Updated July 13, 2023 by Brian P.

quizTest Your Knowledge

Which acronym describes the location where a company's servers are located?

A
NAS
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B
NAT
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C
NIC
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D
NOC
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Correct! Incorrect!     View the NOC definition.
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