Calculating links of a fully meshed network

Dist · 12 May 2008 at 15:35

Whats the easiest way to calculate the number of links required to make a fully meshed network? I have a multiple choice question i have to answer, and the only way i know to calculate the number of links is by adding all the numbers between x-1 and 1 (inclusive). This isnt a problem for small ammounts of devices, but i have to work out the answer for hundreds of devices linked together.

Does anyone know a better way to solve this?

Dist · 12 May 2008 at 15:48

Visage said:
To add up 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + ... + x is simply, 1/2 * (x)(x+1).

Unless im typing it wrong, then for 150 devices would have 11325 links, but thats not one of the multiple choice options. :confused:

Dist · 12 May 2008 at 15:51

Still doesnt give a result that matches my multiple choice options. The closest answer is 11125, but the question doesnt say find the closest ammount of links required or anything like that.

Dist · 12 May 2008 at 16:14

Thanks for the help everyone

Dist · 13 May 2008 at 01:07

Well the possible answers for the question of 150 elements in a fully meshed network were: 100, 300, 4500, 11125, 22250, 45000. So 11250 must be the correct answer, even if its not the answer i got myself when i tried working it out, its the only sensible one as the other choices would have way to many or way to few links.