alaverkko

Alaverkko is a Finnish term meaning "lower network" and is used to describe a subnetwork within a larger network. The term derives from ala (lower) and verkko (network). In Finnish IT and telecom literature, alaverkko denotes a lower-level network layer that is connected to or embedded in a larger network, typically functioning as an access or distribution network that serves a limited geographic or administrative area. It is commonly contrasted with ylaverkko, the upper network, which forms the core or backbone of the system.

In practice, an alaverkko may refer to a corporate floor's local area network, a department's LAN segment, or an access network in a service provider's topology. It often uses its own addressing domain, such as VLANs or a separate IP subnet, and is connected to the main network through a gateway, router, or firewall. Security, addressing, and routing policies are usually defined at the alaverkko boundary to isolate traffic and manage performance.

The English equivalent is typically subnet or subnetwork, though the exact scope can vary by organization. See also subnet, VLAN, network topology.