A mesh network is a

local area network A local area network (LAN) is a computer network that interconnects computers within a limited area such as a residence, school, laboratory, university campus or office building. By contrast, a wide area network (WAN) not only covers a large ...

topology In mathematics, topology (from the Greek words , and ) is concerned with the properties of a geometric object that are preserved under continuous deformations, such as stretching, twisting, crumpling, and bending; that is, without closing ...

in which the infrastructure

node In general, a node is a localized swelling (a " knot") or a point of intersection (a vertex). Node may refer to: In mathematics * Vertex (graph theory), a vertex in a mathematical graph * Vertex (geometry), a point where two or more curves, line ...

s (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. Mesh topology may be contrasted with conventional

star A star is an astronomical object comprising a luminous spheroid of plasma (physics), plasma held together by its gravity. The List of nearest stars and brown dwarfs, nearest star to Earth is the Sun. Many other stars are visible to the naked ...

tree In botany, a tree is a perennial plant with an elongated stem, or trunk, usually supporting branches and leaves. In some usages, the definition of a tree may be narrower, including only woody plants with secondary growth, plants that are ...

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.

Basic principles

Mesh networks can relay messages using either a ''flooding'' or a ''

routing Routing is the process of selecting a path for traffic in a network or between or across multiple networks. Broadly, routing is performed in many types of networks, including circuit-switched networks, such as the public switched telephone netw ...

'' technique, which makes them different from non-mesh networks. A routed 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. 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 are more secure and reliable: problems in a cable affect only the two nodes attached to it. In such networks, however, the number of cables, and therefore the cost, goes up rapidly as the number of nodes increases.

Types

Wired mesh

Shortest path bridging and TRILL each allow

Ethernet switch A network switch (also called switching hub, bridging hub, and, by the IEEE, MAC bridge) is networking hardware that connects devices on a computer network by using packet switching to receive and forward data to the destination device. A ...

es to be connected in a mesh topology and allow for all paths to be active. IP routing supports multiple paths from source to destination.

Wireless mesh

A wireless mesh network (WMN) is a network made up of

radio Radio is the technology of signaling and communicating using radio waves. Radio waves are electromagnetic waves of frequency between 30 hertz (Hz) and 300 gigahertz (GHz). They are generated by an electronic device called a tr ...

nodes organized in a mesh topology. It can also be a form of wireless ad hoc network. Chai Keong Toh Ad Hoc Mobile Wireless Networks, Prentice Hall Publishers, 2002.

References

External links

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. {{Network topologies Network topology