Mesh Networking isn’t a new technology, as it has been around for decades, but it is growing in popularity due to the rise of smart buildings and the Internet of Things (IoT). The quantity of connected devices continues to increase on top of the increasing demand for secure and reliable communications. Mesh networking has emerged as a front running solution to meeting the needs and demands of an evolving technological landscape. What is mesh networking? What are the benefits of implementing it? Here we will cover the basics of mesh networking and the benefits that come along with its implementation.
Mesh networking allows devices to communicate with each other without utilizing a centralized infrastructure. In a mesh network, the individual devices serve as “nodes” that can send and receive data to and from other nodes within the network. This type of network is often seen as more resilient with greater coverage due to the nature of the devices creating a mesh of connections to each other. Mesh networks are incredibly flexible and useful in situations where traditional network infrastructure is difficult or impossible to install.
Mesh networking can be utilized for many different purposes including industrial automation, manufacturing, healthcare, smart home devices, and natural disaster response to name a few. This type of network is becoming increasingly popular for large-scale deployments like city-wide or large campus networks.
As we’ve mentioned, a key factor in the increased adoption of mesh networking decentralized connectivity. This means that if individual nodes fail or are removed, the network will still be able to function. Which is why they are ideal in situations where traditional networking infrastructure is unavailable or unreliable, such as in remote areas or in disaster response situations. Mesh networking is a great option for any business or environment where network downtime could have catastrophic consequences. The key benefits to mesh networks are:
Mesh networking isn’t considered a replacement for traditional networking technology (or any specific type of network) but can be looked at as a complimentary or alternative solution depending on the situation. It is a powerful solution when used to augment existing network infrastructure to add redundancy or increase coverage. An example of this would be in large building or campuses where wireless access points are deployed, mesh networking could be used to provide a stable connection while devices are hopping between different access points (such as when a person is walking from one campus building to another).
As mentioned previously, mesh networks are an alternative to traditional networking infrastructure where the hardware installation is not feasible. In remote or undeveloped areas, where it is expensive or impossible to lay cabling, these networks can provide a flexible and cost friendly option. However, tradition network infrastructure remains the standard for a multitude of reasons where it is possible.
If you are curious about mesh networks and how implanting one could improve your networking environment, reach out to us at ContactUs@Matrix-NDI.com. We are here to answer any questions you may have.