![]() ![]() When using wireless backhaul the nodes must be placed in a position that they can receive a signal from the adjacent node just like when using Wi-fi Extenders. Star and Daisy chain topologies are illustrated in the diagram below: Generally a mesh is preferred but if not possible then a star topology and lastly a daisy chain.Ī star network topology is preferred as it has lower latency and faster connection speeds than using a daisy chain topology. Backhaul TopologyĪlthough they are called wireless mesh networks the actual topology of the backhaul network maybe mesh, star, or daisy chain. Using a wired Ethernet connection for the back haul network provides the fastest connections provided this is provided by a wired network and not homeplug adapters. The only problem is that only very new devices support it. Wi-Fi 6 is the latest Wi-Fi standard offering higher speeds and greater distances than Wi-Fi 5. Generally having a dedicated back haul network offers faster connections than shared. The inter node messages use the same networks as the end devices. The other approach used by Google for example is to use a dual band access point 2.4GHz network Plus a 5Ghz network. On a network with many clients this would be faster than using the shared mode where the inter node connection and the client connections share the frequency bands/channels. The communications path is hidden from view and the approach is called tri-band as the node provides a 2.4GHz network and a 5Ghz network for the devices as per standard WI-Fi access points, and another 5Ghz network for inter node communication. One approach uses a dedicated Wi-Fi network used solely for the nodes to communicate with each other (BT approach). The mesh nodes also need to communicate with each other to pass data and network traffic as shown below: Older devices only support the 2.5GHz band. These are used by clients (laptops,tablets etc) to connect to the network. Wi-fi operates on two frequency bands 2.5GHz and 5 Ghz. ![]() There are three possibilities for the internode connection. The video assumes a wi-Fi backhaul network but this is not always the case and not always the best option. This video gives good overview of the problems mesh networks try to solve and how they work. They do this over what is known as a backhaul network.Īll Wi-Fi mesh providers provide wireless backhaul capability but not all provide Ethernet capability. The important thing to understand is that the access nodes need to be able to communicate with each other. The other approach taken by BT, for example, is to keep the existing internet router and replace the Wi-Fi network. The Google approach is to replace the existing WI-FI network and home router with the Google Wi-Fi discs or access nodes. There seems to be two design approaches to these systems. They comprise 2 or more Wi-Fi nodes that work together to offer a single Wi-Fi network (one SSID), and devices can hop seamlessly across the nodes as they move within the network. They aren’t really designed to extend an existing Wi-Fi network, but to replace it. Wi-Fi mesh kits from Google, BT, Amazon etc make creating a large extended network very simple and usually don’t involve using cables. Meshed Networks can be full or partial as shown in the diagram below: This makes the network very resilient to failure but can become impractical due to the number of connections. In a mesh network all or most the network nodes are connected to each other. There are many different network topologies and a mesh topology is very common. The main disadvantage of extending a network using wireless range extenders and access points is that you create several wireless networks (separate SSIDs) which means that when moving between them you need to log off from one and then log on to the other. ![]() Traditional WI-Fi networks use a central access point to connect the wireless nodes together and to the Internet.ĭead zones and slow connections can be overcome by extending the network using Wi-Fi extenders, cables or home plug adaptors. Wi-Fi mesh networks are a fast growing area in the home networking arena. Having fast and reliable Wi-Fi coverage in the house and maybe in the garden and out buildings is becoming more and more important.
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