From the beginning of 2020, everyone’s life has changed. Due to the pandemic; work-from-home, online school, and webinars are something became so common. Technology has bought a lot more since then. And one of the technology is the Mesh network.
You might have experienced this while someone in your house is streaming videos, the other one attending classes and you are at a conference. It all runs fluently until your Wi-Fi speed isn’t slow. Mesh Networking is introduced to provide strong and required internet speed all over the area.
While most of the latest wireless routers provide a strong internet connection in a medium-sized house. But, when there are multiple floors, larger houses, and where the networks aren’t good at every place. For them, there comes a need for Mesh network Wi-Fi.
Table of Contents
What is a Mesh Network?
In a Mesh Network, devices or nodes are connected with each other. Each node is connected to one or more or all nodes. They together form a system where data is transferred efficiently from device to client or vice versa. In a Mesh Network, there are multiple routes available for delivering signals or messages. Therefore, in case of connection failure or node failure, messages are delivered through another route. A mesh network has hundreds of nodes to connect devices over a large area.
In other words
Usually, a Wi-Fi network works with a router that is connected to a modem at a certain point. It projects Wi-Fi signals in a range of areas. And anywhere in the range you can connect your devices to Wi-Fi and use the internet.
A Wi-Fi mesh network is a little similar to traditional Wi-Fi. It has one main router connected to the modem. Mesh Wi-Fi has some other hubs or nodes identical to the main router, connected with each other and placed at various points in an area or throughout the house. But, instead of having a central hub or something to handle the traffic, here every node can communicate with every other node.
These nodes are generally placed at the end of the range of the other. And thus, builds a strong Wi-Fi network all over the area. The main router is connected to the different nodes and that’s what we call a Mesh network.
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As the signal passes from one node to another, it isn’t necessary that each time the signal passes through the same path. In this network, these nodes create the fastest path to reach the destination. For instance, if a network passed from node 1 and there is traffic on node 2, then it will connect to another node instead of connecting to node 2.
Types of Mesh network topologies
1. Fully connected Mesh Network– Fully connected mesh networks comprise each device or node connected to all the other devices. These nodes can communicate with each other and deliver messages through the fastest route.
2. Partially connected Mesh Network– In this type of mesh network, not all devices are connected to each other. Some devices are connected to only one or two devices.
How does it work?
Now, after knowing exactly what a Mesh network is, let’s get to know, how it works.
What makes a mesh network different from a non-mesh network is its flooding and routing technique. Flooding means every signal or message will pass through all the other links on the path, except the final one. And, routing is a process of selecting the most reliable network from multiple or from the traffic of networks.
In this network, a signal or message jumps node by node till it reached the destination. These networks use a self-healing algorithm to allow routing-based networks to operate. This happens at a time of a broken node when the connection becomes unreliable. But, after using self-healing algorithms more than one path opens up and thus signal can reach the destination easily. And that’s why mesh networks are far more reliable.
Advantages
Things above might have cleared up that mesh networks are useful for us. Now, let’s see some of its Benefits.
- Self-Configuring– In wide networks, it is difficult for technologies to configure manually. It will be very costly, time-consuming and quite difficult as well. But, a mesh network has made it easier. In this network, nodes configure themselves.
- Self-healing- Mesh network uses self-healing algorithms such as Shortest Path Bridging and TRILL. These algorithms allow a routing-based network to operate and make a reliable path for the signal to flow.
- Coverage– The most important benefit is, that these networks give coverage over a large area. As the nodes are placed at most of the points, thus a user can enjoy a reliable connection at every place.
- Easy setup- Setting up a mesh network requires no extra effort. It is a very simple process. Simply, plug one node into the modem ethernet and plug it into the wall. Then open the smart things app and select add a device. (Tested with Samsung smart things Wi-Fi mesh router).
- Range– Range can be easily increased by adding more nodes to the network. This will make the connection stronger and nodes can find the fastest path to send a message.
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Disadvantages
However, a mesh network is a quite helpful and easier way to connect. Still, it has some disadvantages as well.
- Cost- A single router and Wi-Fi extender is cost-effective. A range of a node isn’t equal to that of a Wi-Fi extender or single router. Thus, more nodes are needed in a mesh network.
- Power consumption– Each node act as a router and therefore, it needs more power to operate correctly.
- Data load- Each node act as a router and communicate with each of the other nodes. It is difficult to reshoot all the nodes. Each node track messages of the neighbouring nodes. Also, increasing the range causes complications due to increased data load.
Thank You For Reading We hope this article was helpful. If it was, then let us know in the comments down below. Also, if you are interested in similar articles, then here are few recommendations for you. How will 5G impact the future of gaming and e-sports? Everything about 5G in India. Tech Trends for 2022 and ahead