What type of network architecture does hub-and-spoke represent?

Hub-and-spoke architecture is characterized by a central node (the hub) that connects to multiple peripheral nodes (the spokes). This setup is fundamentally centralized because all communication and data transfer between the spokes must go through the hub. The hub serves as the main point of control, coordination, and communication, making it the central authority in managing the network.

In this architecture, the hub handles all the connecting tasks and can enforce policies, manage resources, and ensure that traffic flows smoothly, which is a hallmark of centralized systems. Each spoke relies on the hub for connectivity, rather than connecting directly to one another, further emphasizing the centralized nature of this architecture.

Therefore, identifying hub-and-spoke as centralized architecture accurately reflects its operational structure, where one central unit governs the interactions of multiple peripheral units.