Mesh standard rounds a corner

NETWORK WORLD NEWSLETTER: JOANIE WEXLER ON WIRELESS IN THE
ENTERPRISE
07/27/05
Today's focus: Mesh standard rounds a corner

Dear networking.world@gmail.com,

In this issue:

* IEEE mulls 802.11s tech-spec proposals
* Links related to Wireless in the Enterprise
* Featured reader resource
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Today's focus: Mesh standard rounds a corner

By Joanie Wexler

Speaking of 802.11 mesh networks, which I did at length while
describing International Speedway's deployment of Strix Networks
equipment in my last newsletter, it's been awhile since I
mentioned the emerging 802.11s mesh standard.

Last week, about 15 proposals for the standard were plunked in
front of the 802.11 Task Group S at the IEEE meeting in San
Francisco. The working group formed about a year ago seeking a
way to enable interoperability among mesh vendors' gear.

In an 802.11 mesh network, backbone access points (AP)
autoconfigure themselves over the air, autodiscover one another
and make dynamic best-path selections based on real-time RF
conditions. Expanding a wireless mesh backbone network simply
requires powering up another AP, which automatically joins the
network and adds bandwidth and alternate transmission paths.

For now, these backbone APs are proprietary to each vendor in
the information that they share with one another, the format in
which they share it, and the algorithm that they use to
calculate the best path that traffic should take over the
wireless mesh backbone. So, as you might suspect, if you decide
to switch vendors or find yourself merged, bought out, or
otherwise in possession of a mixed bag of infrastructure
equipment, you currently can't cobble together a working mesh
backbone out of the disparate gear.

Basically, 802.11s' initial charter proposal called for an
extension to the IEEE 802.11 MAC to solve the interoperability
problem by defining an architecture and protocol that support
both broadcast/multicast and unicast delivery using "radio-aware
metrics over self-configuring multi-hop topologies." The
wireless system was also to extend 802.11i security mechanisms
to fit the mesh topology.

Among last week's proposals was one submitted by a
Nortel-spearheaded gang called the Wi-Mesh Alliance, which
includes Accton Technology, InterDigital Communications, NextHop
Technologies and others.

Mesh start-ups such as BelAir Networks, FireTide Networks, Strix
and Tropos Networks haven't been too keen on the industry
standardizing the "secret sauce" for 802.11 autodiscovery,
autoconfiguration and best-path calculation that has made them
special.

Still, depending on what the final specification looks like,
there could be hope. Nortel's Bilel Jamoussi, director of
strategic protocols and standards at Nortel, said that "how you
compute the best route could remain the implementation of the
various vendors." Cyrus Irani, Strix VP of marketing and
strategy, perked up at this comment, which indicated that some
of his and other companies' crown jewels stand a chance of being
left intact.

Irani said that Strix would implement a ratified standard for
its indoor enterprise gear, but will likely not do so for its
outdoor service provider-centric equipment. He said Strix sees
service provider networks as built in tiers with less necessity
of interoperability among the tiers.

The top 5: Today's most-read stories

1. 2005 Salary Survey
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlwir3867>

2. Cisco to acquire Sheer Networks for $97 million
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlwir3868>

3. Verizon joins managed security game
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlwir3869>

<http://www.networkworld.com/nlwir3639>

4. Schools battle personal data hacks
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlwir3870>

5. Help Desk: NAT firewall
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlwir3871>

Today's most forwarded story:

Verizon joins managed security game
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlwir3872>
_______________________________________________________________
To contact: Joanie Wexler

Joanie Wexler is an independent networking technology
writer/editor in California's Silicon Valley who has spent most
of her career analyzing trends and news in the computer
networking industry. She welcomes your comments on the articles
published in this newsletter, as well as your ideas for future
article topics. Reach her at <mailto:joanie@jwexler.com>.
_______________________________________________________________
This newsletter is sponsored by Nokia
Empower Your Mobile Enterprise

Nokia believes that business mobility will fundamentally change
the way work gets done-and for the better. To allow the entire
organization to get the most from this paradigm shift in
productivity, Nokia Enterprise Solutions focuses on delivering
increased efficiency through enhanced mobility. Learn more by
downloading this white paper today!
http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=108886
_______________________________________________________________
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FEATURED READER RESOURCE
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up your paycheck. Click here:
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