Final answer:
The ARPANET was designed with a decentralized structure to prevent the loss of any single computer from affecting the rest of the network. This ensured uninterrupted communication even if one computer failed.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ARPANET was designed so that the loss of any single computer would not prevent the rest of the network from working because of its decentralized structure. Unlike traditional hierarchical network architectures, which have a central server that controls all communication, the ARPANET used a distributed model where multiple computers connected to each other directly.
This decentralized design ensured that even if one computer in the network failed, the other computers could still communicate with each other without any interruption. This redundancy in the network allowed for increased resilience and reliability.
For example, if Computer A lost its connection with Computer B, it could still communicate with Computer C as long as there was a direct link between them, ensuring that the network could continue to function.