Patent ID: 7444431
Filing Date: 2008-10-28
Classification: H04Q

Abstract:
1. A partially interconnected network, comprising: 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; a part of the number of areas with the allocated nodes being interconnected to an individual star node to form a number of routes from an individual star node; some, but not all, of the plurality of star nodes having connected thereat one of a group of point of presence (PoP) units, said group of PoP units being arranged to provide access to a selected service or selected services; the allocated nodes of a first of the areas being interconnected to a set comprising some, but not all, of the star nodes; further of the areas being 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 connecting to one, or more than one, of the plurality of star nodes having connected thereat one of the group of PoP units; at least one interconnection route being between any two allocated nodes in different areas; and the interconnection route comprising two of the point-to-point interconnections interconnected in series by a star node.