You probably already know that having a good wireless connection is very important for any company. But how do you achieve this efficiency intelligently? The answer may lie in mesh networking! Used to extend network coverage and give the connection more stability, it is a wireless network architecture made up of different modules that communicate with each other, forming a mesh of connections.

So that you can understand this subject in practice, we have prepared some very interesting content on what the mesh network is, its functionalities and, above all, its advantages for your company! Check out 🙂 

What is the mesh network?

As we mentioned earlier, the mesh network consists of a wireless network architecture made up of three main devices: nodes, routers and end devices.  Nodes are the fundamental elements of the network, responsible for forming the infrastructure that supports communication. Routers are responsible for routing traffic between nodes, ensuring that data is delivered efficiently. Finally, end devices are the terminals connected to the network, such as laptops, smartphones and IoT devices. 

With this distributed approach, it is possible for devices to communicate directly with each other, forming a mesh of connections that does not depend on a centralized point of control. On the contrary, the devices in the mesh network collaborate with each other to route traffic and maintain connectivity.  This provides companies with wider coverage, as well as greater reliability and scalability, essential characteristics for meeting the connectivity demands of modern environments. 

What are the advantages of mesh networks compared to traditional Wi-Fi?

Before we go into detail about the advantages of mesh networking compared to traditional Wi-Fi, it’s important to emphasize the importance of a reliable and stable wireless connection for any company. Efficient connectivity is key to ensuring productivity and efficient operations, whether in a corporate, industrial or residential environment. It is in this context that mesh networks stand out as an effective solution for extending network coverage and providing a more stable connection.

Now, check out some of the specific advantages that mesh networking offers over traditional Wi-Fi:

Extended and uniform cover: The main advantage of the mesh network compared to ordinary Wi-Fi routers is its coverage.  In traditional Wi-Fi networks, the signal drops dramatically in areas far from the access point, but in the mesh network, precisely because it uses strategically distributed nodes, coverage becomes more consistent in all spaces, providing a much smoother experience for users.

Resilience and tolerance to failures: If a network node fails or is disconnected, adjacent devices can automatically reconfigure their communication routes, ensuring that traffic is routed efficiently along alternative paths. This significantly reduces the impact of possible network failures and ensures continuity of operations, even in adverse situations.

Scalability made simple: As demand for connectivity increases or new devices are added to the network, it’s easy to expand the infrastructure simply by introducing new nodes into the existing mesh. No complex configurations or changes to the established infrastructure are required, making network expansion fast, flexible and cost-effective.

Dynamic load balancing: The intelligent routing algorithms used in mesh networks allow for dynamic load balancing between the different nodes in the network. This means that data traffic is distributed equitably and efficiently throughout the infrastructure, avoiding congestion and maximizing network performance, even during periods of high demand.

Learn about mesh installation styles

Mesh networks are also known for their flexible topologies. That is, the physical or logical structure of the network. This aspect allows network administrators to adapt the connectivity infrastructure to the specific needs of each environment, balancing efficiency, redundancy and simplicity of management.  Let’s take a look at the layouts that can exist in a mesh network:

Mesh Network: In this type of topology, each device on the network connects directly to several other devices, forming a mesh of interconnected connections. This means that there is no single central point of control, and data can be routed through different paths to reach the desired destination.  This approach is ideal for environments where redundancy and resilience are priorities, as the failure of a single node does not compromise network connectivity.

Star Mesh Network: In this configuration, a central device (such as a main router or access point) acts as the focal point of the network, while the other devices connect directly to it.  This central device is responsible for routing traffic between the connected devices and therefore plays a crucial role in the operation of the network. Although this topology offers simplicity of management and configuration, it can be less robust in terms of redundancy compared to the mesh topology.

Hybrid Mesh Network: This is a combination of mesh and star topologies, where some devices connect directly to each other to form a mesh, while other devices connect to a central point. This allows even greater flexibility in adapting the network to the specific coverage and performance needs of a given environment.  For example, in areas with a high density of devices, it may be more efficient to use a mesh topology to distribute traffic evenly, while in less congested areas, a star topology may be sufficient to meet connectivity demands.

Tracenet can help your company be better connected!

We have a specialized team to help you throughout the process of implementing and configuring a mesh network.  From planning the strategic location of network nodes to configuring routing and security parameters, we carry out performance tests to ensure that the network works as expected.

Contact one of our consultants and ask for a quote!