This paper considers a topological optimization of a computer network design with a cost constraint. The objective is to find the topological layout of links, at maximal reliability, under the constraint that the network cost is less or equal than a given level of budget. This problem is known to be NP-hard. To efficiently solve the problem, a genetic approach is proposed. Two illustrative examples are used to explain and test the proposed approach. Experimental results show evidence that the proposed approach performs more efficiently for finding a good solution or near optimal solution in comparison with a simulated annealing method.