Which topology connects each node to several other nodes, but not all?

In the context of network topology, a partially meshed topology connects each node to several other nodes, but not all, which allows for a balance between node connection and cost-effectiveness. This topology is characterized by a mix of direct and indirect connections, improving redundancy and overall communication reliability, as nodes can connect to multiple peers while avoiding the complexity and expense of a fully meshed network.

In a fully meshed topology, every node is connected to every other node, which can lead to increased costs and complexity as the number of nodes grows. On the other hand, star and extended star topologies focus primarily on central node connections, limiting the direct interconnectivity between peripheral nodes, which is not the defining characteristic of a partially meshed topology. Therefore, the key feature of connecting several but not necessarily all nodes makes partially meshed topology the accurate choice in this context.