backbone
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backbone
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](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.
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.
This article is provided by FOLDOC - Free Online Dictionary of Computing (foldoc.org)