Mesh Networking

Mesh networking is a way to route data, voice and instructions between nodes. It allows for continuous connections and reconfiguration around broken or blocked paths by “hopping” from node to node until the destination is reached. A mesh network whose nodes are all connected to each other is a fully connected network. Mesh networks differ from other networks in that the component parts can all connect to each other via multiple hops, and they generally are not mobile. Mesh networks can be seen as one type of ad hoc network. Mobile ad-hoc networking (MANet), and mesh networking are therefore closely related, but mobile ad hoc networks also have to deal with the problems introduced by the mobility of the nodes.
Mesh networks are self-healing: the network can still operate even when a node breaks down or a connection goes bad. As a result, a very reliable network is formed. This concept is applicable to wireless networks, wired networks, and software interaction.
An animation of a wireless mesh network is shown on the right. Watch what happens when the mesh nodes power up (green LED on box turns on). The nodes hear each other's broadcast and a network is automatically formed. Also watch what happens when a node fails. The nodes re-discover an alternate routing path. Network connectivity is thus preserved automatically.

Wireless mesh networks is the most topical application of mesh architectures. Wireless mesh was originally developed for military applications but have undergone significant evolution in the past decade.

Wireless mesh networking has seen three distinct radio configurations of mesh technology, each incorporating iterative improvements allowing for greater reliability and versatility. As the cost of radios plummeted, single radio products evolved to support more radios per mesh node with the additional radios providing specific functions- such as client access, backhaul service or scanning radios for high speed handover in mobility applications. The mesh node design also became more modular - one box could support multiple radio cards - each operating at a different frequency. As a result, a whole new set of applications are being enabled by third generation mesh networking technology. These include real time video surveillance, border security or voice communication inside underground mines.