Multi-radio design boosts mesh nets

NETWORK WORLD NEWSLETTER: NETWORKING TECHNOLOGY UPDATE
07/11/05

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In this issue:

* Multi-radio mesh technology
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Today's focus:

Multi-radio design boosts mesh nets

By Cyrus Irani

A mesh wireless network node must perform three functions: serve
client devices, receive traffic from another mesh node (mesh
ingress) and transmit traffic to another mesh node (mesh
egress). Single-radio nodes (or even dual-radio nodes, in which
one radio is used for client devices and the other for mesh
backhaul) pose performance problems and hinder scalability.

Multi-radio mesh technology solves this problem for large-scale
wireless deployments, particularly those in which real-time
applications require roaming voice, video and data. Radios are
dedicated for each function in the mesh - backhaul ingress,
backhaul egress and client access. This provides dedicated mesh
links for backhaul traffic and client coverage. 802.11a is
generally used for backhaul traffic, and 802.11b/g for client
coverage.

When a single-radio mesh is used for both incoming and outgoing
traffic, throughput is halved because a radio cannot transmit
and receive simultaneously, and must swap roles. Another problem
is that every mesh link must be on the same radio channel. That
means when one radio is transmitting, its neighbors must all be
in listening mode. This problem is amplified across the mesh,
and after a few hops the architecture is slowed to the point
where it no longer efficiently supports voice or data.

However, a wireless multi-radio, or structured, mesh approach
offers several dedicated-link interfaces and at least three
radios per network node. Because each radio performs only one
function, there is no role swapping, eliminating throughput
degradation. Multi-radio mesh networks allow for dedicated
backhaul links that can transmit and receive simultaneously
because each link is on a separate channel.

A typical mesh configuration might have six or more radios in a
single node that can be allocated between serving client
devices, mesh ingress and mesh egress. This six-radio wireless
network node can support up to three user-access radio modules
in the 2.4-GHz or 5-GHz band and up to three backhaul radio
modules in the 2.4-GHz or 5-GHz band.

For more on how multi-radio Wi-Fi mesh networks work, go to:
<http://www.networkworld.com/nltechupdate3122>
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To contact:

Irani is vice president of marketing and strategy for Strix
Systems. He can be reached at cyrus.irani@strixsystems.com
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This newsletter is sponsored by Avocent
Network World Executive Guide:
Security Evolves. Automation, specialized 'ops centers' and
more.

For network security professionals, keeping a safe distance
ahead of the worst the bad guys have to offer is a never-ending
race. This guide is designed to help with a collection of news,
analysis and product test reviews for practical how-to advice on
subjects ranging from patch management and spyware to promises
and risks of automated security services.
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