July 21, 2005

PCWorld.com - IEEE Starts Weaving Mesh Network Standard

The march to lower wireless equipment prices, interoperability and expanded access continues unabated. In my lifetime, perhaps in the the next 5-7 years, my laptop or handheld "digital access device" will be able to access the Internet wirelessly from almost anywhere.

What an astounding world we live in!!

"Mesh networks reduce the need for wired connections in wireless LANs by letting multiple access points carry each others' traffic. Whereas a conventional wireless access point needs its own wired link to a backbone network, with a wireless mesh there can be just one wire for many access points. Traffic that is destined for the Internet can hop from one access point to another until it reaches the one wired connection. Though each access point still needs a power source, the mesh can reduce the need for leased lines, thus reducing costs, Jamoussi said.

When a new access point is added to the mesh, it can be automatically configured for characteristics such as security and quality of service. As decisions are made about routing packets across the mesh, the network can take into consideration congestion and other factors and route around busy access points, Jamoussi said."

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