Solving Problems with Wireless Mesh Networks

Mesh networks can solve this problem and a bunch of other problems, as
well. The underlying technology borrows heavily from lessons learned
through the implementation of dynamic routing protocols on the Internet.
MeshNetworks wins the prize for best name in this industry sector, but a
number of other companies, including BelAir, Firetide, Strix and Tropos,
are busy selling interesting solutions. The mesh movement got a boost
last week when the IEEE created a study group to begin exploring a mesh
standard. Along with the companies mentioned above, the development drew
interest from industry heavyweights Cisco and Intel. It's anybody's
guess how long it might take to develop a standard, but three to five
years seems like a safe estimate.

Mesh technology has both indoor and outdoor applications. Inside
buildings, products from Firetide and Strix can be used to create WLANs
that don't require Ethernet backhaul. In the simplest ad hoc
implementation, you just plug a bunch of mesh-capable APs into
electrical outlets in your building and the APs automatically form
backhaul connections amongst themselves. Of course, simple is not always
optimal, so some products provide the ability to manage the mesh more
closely, selecting appropriate links and radio technologies.

Outside the building LAN, meshes can be used to provide wireless access
across wide geographic areas measured in miles rather than meters.
Tropos has garnered some attention recently because of work it is doing
with NASA. Based on tests in the Arizona desert, NASA was able to deploy
wireless connectivity covering a two-square mile area using two to three
Tropos devices. In urban areas, where buildings cause RF reflections,
you might need 10 times as many devices. But for some applications,
including public safety and Internet access in suburban or rural areas,
the technology has significant potential. BelAir also offers outdoor
mesh products, which include multiple radios per access device, and they
aren't limited exclusively to 802.11.

The major benefits of wireless meshes include system resiliency,
flexible coverage areas and rapid deployment. It's likely that even
mainstream WLAN infrastructure vendors will begin to employ some limited
mesh capabilities in their products to provide more deployment
flexibility in locations where cables are hard to pull (warehouses,
historic buildings, etc.).