What is a Wireless Mesh Network?
                     WHAT IS A WIRELESS MESH NETWORK?
What is a wireless mesh 
network (WMN)?
• A wireless mesh network (WMN) is a mesh 
network created through the connection of 
wireless access point (WAP) nodes installed at 
each network user's locale. 
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Networking infrastructure
• The networking infrastructure is decentralized 
and simplified because each node need only 
transmit as far as the next node. WMNs may or 
may not be connected to the internet.
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Application
• Mesh networks can be used for any application 
where network end nodes are too far apart to 
share direct access to a central location, such 
as an internet connection. Any type of network 
protocol can be used throughout the network.
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Wi-Fi is widely used
• Wi-Fi is widely used for home or office 
networks, but other types of networks may be 
used for other applications. Bluetooth and 
Zigbee are short-distance protocols that require 
less power than Wi-Fi and are used to link 
battery-operated devices.
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Uses
• home Wi-Fi networks
• public Wi-Fi access provided by cities and 
municipalities
• Wi-Fi and networking in temporary locations, 
such as construction sites
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How do wireless mesh 
networks work?
• Mesh nodes are WAP devices with multiple 
radio systems. Nodes act as mesh routers and 
endpoints. Firmware enables them to share 
data between other nodes in the network.
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How do wireless mesh 
networks work cont.
• Mesh clients are wireless devices, such as 
laptops, mobile phones and tablet computers.
• Gateways are nodes that connect two networks 
using different protocols. Data passes through 
the gateway as it enters or exits a network.
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Advantages of wireless 
mesh networks
• They require only one node in the network to 
be physically wired for internet connection
• They provide collaborative, redundant backup 
technology, which ensures data security in the 
event of disk failure
• They can be configured dynamically for speed
• They use less power
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Advantages of wireless 
mesh networks cont.
• They offer increased reliability, as each node is 
connected to several other nodes. If one node 
drops out of the network, its neighbors simply 
find another route.
• They are scalable, as it's typically easy to add 
nodes to the network.
• They can effectively provide coverage to home 
Wi-fi mesh networks without reducing 
bandwidth, unlike Wi-Fi range extenders.
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Disadvantages of wireless 
mesh networks
• Networks with low processing capabilities may 
have more latency, as data must often hop 
through several different nodes.
• The lack of a central server can make mesh 
systems more complicated to monitor, control 
and troubleshoot.
• The lack of centralization can make routing and 
resource management processes more 
complex than with other types of wireless 
networks.
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