Mesh networks use mesh routers to create a decentralized network without predetermined paths. Mesh routers continuously monitor network activity and adjust their lists of nearby devices. Data is sent through multiple routers until a path is found. The network is robust but slower, and security concerns exist. Mesh routers can be wireless laptops or dedicated devices.
In a traditional network, routers are used to direct data traffic from one location, or node, to another. Each router has a specific set of locations it can accept data from and a specific set of locations it can send data to. A mesh, or multi-hop, network is a highly decentralized way of organizing nodes that doesn’t require predetermined paths between them. Such networks are made possible by mesh routers, which adjust, in real time, where they can communicate with.
Mesh routers work by continuously monitoring network activity and keeping lists of other devices in their vicinity. When a potential node appears, it broadcasts its address and network capabilities. Nearby mesh routers will receive the broadcast and adjust their lists to reflect the new node. When the device shuts down or otherwise disappears, the mesh routers will update their lists again.
If a known device broadcasts a request to send data to a specific location and a router has the receiving node in the active device list, it will complete the route and broadcast the data. If no single mesh router can provide a direct path between the sending and receiving nodes, the data will be sent to another router in the network and the process will repeat until a path can be found.
Because mesh routers continually adapt to their environment, the network they create is very robust and highly fault tolerant. With a large enough mesh, any broken or missing router can be bypassed; no mesh router can be a point of failure for the entire network. The disadvantage of such networks is that without predetermined routing paths, data can take longer to reach its destination. There are also security concerns: since mesh routers automatically talk to every device that appears, it can be easier for malicious devices to access the network.
Mesh networks are often wireless, and a mesh router can be as simple as a wireless laptop set up to operate in ad hoc mode. In this mode, the laptop acts as a router. There are also dedicated devices that provide more bandwidth and range. Typically, a dedicated mesh router will not be mobile. Many wireless access points are in fact mesh routers and can be used to create geographically extensive wireless networks.
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