Mesh Topology: Its Principles, Merits And Setbacks

ABSTRACT

A mesh network topology can be seen as a special type of wireless ad-hoc network. A mesh network topology often has a more planned configuration, and may be deployed to provide dynamic and cost effective connectivity over a certain geographic area. An ad-hoc network, on the other hand, is formed ad hoc when wireless devices come within communication range of each other. The mesh routers may be mobile, and be moved according to specific demands arising in the network. Often the mesh routers are not limited in terms of resources compared to other nodes in the network and thus can be exploited to perform more resource intensive functions. In this way, the mesh network topology differs from an ad-hoc network, since these nodes are often constrained by resources.

A mesh network topology is a communications network made up of radio nodes organized in a mesh topology. Mesh network topologynetworks often consist of mesh clients, mesh routers and gateways. The mesh clients are often laptops, cell phones and other wireless devices while the mesh routers forward traffic to and from the gateways which may but need not connect to the Internet. The coverage area of the radio nodes working as a single network is sometimes called a mesh cloud. Access to this mesh cloud is dependent on the radio nodes working in harmony with each other to create a radio network. A mesh network is reliable and offers redundancy. When one node can no longer operate, the rest of the nodes can still communicate with each other, directly or through one or more intermediate nodes. The animation below illustrates how mesh network topologynetworks can self form and self heal. Mesh network topologynetworks can be implemented with various wireless technology including 802.11, 802.15, 802.16, cellular technologies or combinations of more than one type.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE

CERTIFICATION PAG

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABSTRACT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

1.2 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

1.3 IMPORTANCE/SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

1.4 DEFINITION OF TERMS

1.5 ASSUMPTION OF THE STUDY

CHAPTER TWO

2.0LITERATURE REVIEW

CHAPTER THREE

3.0OPERATIONS ON CABLE AND WIRELESS MESH TOPOLOGIES

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0PHYSICAL AND LOGICAL TOPOLOGIES

4.1PRINCIPLES, MERITS AND SETBACKS OF MESH TOPOLOGY

4.2CONSIDERATIONS WHEN CHOOSING A TOPOLOGY

CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION

5.1 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

5.2 SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH

REFERENCES