What topology provides high availability and connects some, but not all, remote sites?

Partial mesh topology is characterized by a network design where some nodes are interconnected with multiple other nodes, but not every node has a direct connection to every other node. This structure provides high availability by enabling multiple pathways for data to travel between the interconnected devices, ensuring that if one link fails, there are other paths available for communication.

This topology is particularly useful in scenarios where certain remote sites need to maintain robust connections to a select number of other locations, rather than connecting to every site in the network. This selective interconnectivity helps optimize resource usage and can simplify network management while still offering resilience against potential outages or failures in some connections.

In contrast, other topologies such as full mesh require a direct connection between each node, which may not be feasible or necessary for every remote site, leading to increased complexity and higher costs. Star topology relies on a central hub, making it less resilient if that hub fails, while linear topology is generally limited in its redundancy and scalability due to its reliance on a single path.