Node placement is critical in high-performance computing (HPC) clusters where low network latency and high throughput are required. Proper placement of nodes within the network infrastructure, including proximity to each other and to key network components, can significantly reduce latency and increase throughput. Ensuring that nodes are physically close and well-connected can facilitate faster data transfer rates between them. References: CompTIA Cloud+ Certification Study Guide (Exam CV0-004) by Scott Wilson and Eric Vanderburg