Patent attributes
A partially interconnected network comprises a plurality of allocated nodes, each allocated to one of a number of areas, a plurality of star nodes, and point-to-point interconnections between the allocated nodes and the star nodes. The number of areas with allocated nodes interconnected to an individual star node forms the number of routes from an individual star node, each of a proportion of the plurality of star nodes having connected thereat one of a group of point of presence (PoP) units. The group of PoP units is arranged to provide access to a selected service or selected services. The allocated nodes of a first of the areas are interconnected to a set comprising some, but not all, of the star nodes. Further of the areas are similarly interconnected to further sets each comprising star nodes. One, or more than one, of the direct point-to-point interconnections from each allocated node connects to one, or more than one, of the plurality of star nodes having connected thereat one of the group of PoP units. There is at least one interconnection choice between any two allocated nodes in different areas. An interconnection route comprises two point-to-point interconnections interconnected in series by a star node.
