A mesh network [or simply meshnet] is a local network topology in which the infrastructure nodes [i.e. bridges, switches, and other infrastructure devices] connect directly, dynamically and non-hierarchically to as many other nodes as possible and cooperate with one another to efficiently route data to and from clients.
This lack of dependency on one node allows for every node to participate in the relay of information. Mesh networks dynamically self-organize and self-configure, which can reduce installation overhead. The ability to self-configure enables dynamic distribution of workloads, particularly in the event a few nodes should fail. This in turn contributes to fault-tolerance and reduced maintenance costs.[1]
Mesh topology may be contrasted with conventional star/tree local network topologies in which the bridges/switches are directly linked to only a small subset of other bridges/switches, and the links between these infrastructure neighbours are hierarchical. While star-and-tree topologies are very well established, highly standardized and vendor-neutral, vendors of mesh network devices have not yet all agreed on common standards, and interoperability between devices from different vendors is not yet assured.[2]
Mesh networks can relay messages using either a flooding technique or a routing technique which makes them different from non-mesh networks.[3] With routing, the message is propagated along a path by hopping from node to node until it reaches its destination. To ensure that all its paths are available, the network must allow for continuous connections and must reconfigure itself around broken paths, using self-healing algorithms such as Shortest Path Bridging and TRILL [TRansparent Interconnection of Lots of Links]. Self-healing allows a routing-based network to operate when a node breaks down or when a connection becomes unreliable. As a result, the network is typically quite reliable, as there is often more than one path between a source and a destination in the network. Although mostly used in wireless situations, this concept can also apply to wired networks and to software interaction.
A mesh network whose nodes are all connected to each other is a fully connected network. Fully connected wired networks have the advantages of security and reliability: problems in a cable affect only the two nodes attached to it. However, in such networks, the number of cables, and therefore the cost, goes up rapidly as the number of nodes increases.
Shortest path bridging and TRILL, each allow Ethernet switches to be connected in a mesh topology, and allow for all paths to be active.[4][5] IP routing supports multiple paths from source to destination.
Wireless mesh
A wireless mesh network [WMN] is a network made up of radio nodes organized in a mesh topology. It can also be a form of wireless ad hoc network.[6]
- Category of mesh networking technologies
- Bluetooth mesh networking
- MENTOR routing algorithm
- Optical mesh network
- ^ "Fault tolerance based routing approach for WMN". 2015 International Conference on Computer and Computational Sciences [ICCCS]: 177–182. doi:10.1109/ICCACS.2015.7361345.
- ^ Cilfone, Antonio; Davoli, Luca; Belli, Laura; Ferrari, Gianluigi [2019]. "Wireless Mesh Networking: An IoT-Oriented Perspective Survey on Relevant Technologies". Future Internet. 11 [4]: 99. doi:10.3390/fi11040099.
- ^ "Introduction to Mesh". commotionwireless.net. Retrieved 2022-03-01.
- ^ "Avaya Extends the Automated Campus to End the Network Waiting Game". Avaya. 1 April 2014. Archived from the original on 19 April 2014. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
- ^ Peter Ashwood-Smith [24 February 2011]. "Shortest Path Bridging IEEE 802.1aq Overview" [PDF]. Huawei. Archived from the original [PDF] on 15 May 2013. Retrieved 11 May 2012.
- ^ Chai Keong Toh Ad Hoc Mobile Wireless Networks, Prentice Hall Publishers, 2002. ISBN 978-0-13-007817-9
| Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mesh network. |
- Battelle Institute AoA Comparative Ratings for popular mesh network providers, specific to mission critical military programs.
- Architecture and Evaluation of the MIT Roofnet Mesh Network - Draft research paper describing the Roofnet project.
- WING Project Wireless Mesh Network distribution based on the roofnet source code
- First, Second and Third Generation Mesh Architectures History and evolution of Mesh Networking Architectures
- DARPA's ITMANET program and the FLoWS Project Investigating Fundamental Performance Limits of MANETS
- Robin Chase discusses Zipcar and Mesh networking Robin Chase talks at the Ted conference about the future of mesh networking and eco-technology
- irdest Decentralised ad-hoc wireless mesh communication
- Dynamic And Persistent Mesh Networks Hybrid mesh networks for military, homeland security and public safety
- Mesh Networks Research Group Projects and tutorials' compilation related to the Wireless Mesh Networks
- Tetrahedron Core Network Application of a tetrahedral structure to create a resilient partial-mesh 3-dimensional campus backbone data network
- Phantom anonymous, decentralized network, isolated from the Internet
- Qaul Project – Text messaging, file sharing and voice calls independent of Internet and cellular networks
- the free content wiki for project meshnet and supporting projects
- Broadband-Hamnet - Mesh networking application on 2.4GHz spectrum for amateur radio
- AREDN - Amateur Radio Emergency Data network, a mesh networking application used for emergency data and information handling
- Disruption Tolerant Mesh Networks autonomous machine controller in mesh nodes operate despite loss of cloud connectivity.
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Prerequisite – Types of Network Topology
Mesh Topology :
In mesh, all the computers are interconnected to every other during a network. Each computer not only sends its own signals but also relays data from other computers. The nodes are connected to every other completely via a dedicated link during which information is travel from nodes to nodes and there are N[N-1]/2 links in mesh if there are N nodes. Every node features a point-to-point connection to the opposite node. The connections within the mesh are often wired or wireless.
There are two types of Mesh topologies –
- Fully-connected Mesh Topology
- Partially-connected Mesh Topology
1. Full Mesh Topology :
All the nodes within the network are connected with every other If there are n number of nodes during a network, each node will have an n-1 number of connections. A full mesh provides an excellent deal of redundancy, but because it is prohibitively expensive to implement, it’s usually reserved for network backbones.
2. Partial Mesh Topology :
The partial mesh is more practical as compared to the full mesh. In a partially connected mesh, all the nodes aren’t necessary to be connected with one another during a network. Peripheral networks are connected using partial mesh and work with a full-mesh backbone in tandem.
Advantages of Mesh Topology :
- Failure during a single device won’t break the network.
- There is no traffic problem as there is a dedicated point to point links for every computer.
- Fault identification is straightforward.
- This topology provides multiple paths to succeed in the destination and tons of redundancy.
- It provides high privacy and security.
- Data transmission is more consistent because failure doesn’t disrupt its processes.
- Adding new devices won’t disrupt data transmissions.
- This topology has robust features to beat any situation.
- A mesh doesn’t have a centralized authority.
Disadvantages of Mesh Topology :
- It’s costly as compared to the opposite network topologies i.e. star, bus, point to point topology.
- Installation is extremely difficult in the mesh.
- Power requirement is higher as all the nodes will need to remain active all the time and share the load.
- Complex process.
- The cost to implement mesh is above other selections.
- There is a high risk of redundant connections.
- Each node requires a further utility cost to think about.
- Maintenance needs are challenging with a mesh.