Hub & Spoke vs Mesh

Hub and Spoke Wireless Networks

· The goal of any wireless network is to connect users' computers to the Internet in a way that's almost magical -- no wires, no plugs, no cables. An organization building a new wireless network can do this in one of two basic ways. You can build a traditional hub and spoke wireless network, or you can build a mesh wireless network using newer technologies. Each topology is well suited to particular scenarios and comes with its own set of pros and cons.

1. Analysis

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A hub and spoke network is a traditional, proven, and widely used topology for all types of networks; it's also called the star topology. Essentially, the access point is physically connected to the Internet with a wire; like spokes on a wheel, all user devices connect to the wireless router in the centre. All network traffic must go through the hub to reach other spokes in the network or to connect to an outside network.

· A hub and spoke network can be small with a single access point, like in your local WiFi-enabled coffee shop or at home, or it can be large enough to cover to connect a corporate enterprise with multiple access points. Most cellular voice networks are hub and spoke, as well; the cellular tower for a certain region is the hub, and all the mobile devices roaming through that area are the spokes.

· Hub and spoke networks are well understood by all network administrators, and their benefits are thoroughly documented. They offer a high degree of security because each device on the network is isolated from the others through the single connection to the wireless router. Other benefits include high performance, centralization, and simplicity. They're relatively inexpensive and easy to wire and easy to fix if a component goes down.

· The most important con to this network topology is the single point of failure at the centre. If the wireless router dies, the entire network goes dark.

· Mesh Wireless Network

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Mesh wireless networks are new, but growing fast. They have been currently built with proprietary protocols, but a new standard for mesh networks, 802.11s, is being finalized now, open source has finally breached the mesh market. A mesh wireless network has several access points that all connect directly to each other; every node on the network can act as an access point, but only one needs to be physically connected to the Internet. Access points automatically discover each other and intelligently route wireless traffic, so data "hops" from one access point to the next until it reaches an access point that is wired to the Internet.

· Mesh wireless networks are gaining in popularity, especially among city governments and universities that want to provide free bandwidth to local users. Inexpensive yet sturdy routers could be installed on light poles and traffic lights around town, extending the wireless network's range limitlessly. Mesh wireless networks can also be a cost-effective solution for large in door spaces, like a warehouse or hospital campus, and for connecting a wireless network to a wired network.

· Not only can mesh networks extend a wireless network almost anywhere -- even in rural areas without phone lines -- they are resilient and fault tolerant. If one access point goes down, traffic can be routed through many others. They can also be set up quickly, on an ad-hoc basis.

· Conclusion

· Mesh wireless networks don't necessarily spell doom for hub and spoke networks. Each network topology offers a sound solution to particular problems. To determine which kind is most appropriate, it's important to consider who will use the network, how much security is required, and how much physical spaces needs to be covered by the wireless network.