AbstractThe star graph has a smaller degree and diameter than the well‐known n‐cube, and can be an alternative to the n‐cube for systems with a large number of nodes [2]. In our previous work [11], three different indirect star‐type networks were obtained from the star graph: the indirect star network I, the indirect star network II, and the star‐delta network. However, the indirect star networks I & II are constructed from large switches, and do not perform as well as the indirect cube‐type networks of comparable switch sizes. Also, they are not modular. The star‐delta network is modular, but it employs varying switch sizes for different switching stages, and has a lower performance than the indirect cube‐type networks based on comparable switch sizes. Moreover, the switch sizes for all three indirect star networks grow with the network size.In this work, a new indirect star network, called the μ‐star network, is proposed. Being modular and constructed from (2 × 2) crossbar switches, the new network is an improvement over previously proposed indirect star‐type networks. The μ‐star network is analyzed for its performance and the analytic results are verified through simulations. © 1993 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.