As a matter of fact, most available works on performance evaluation of WMNs are based on simulation studies, or, in some cases, on analytical frameworks. Finally, WMNs are also expected to lower the entrance barrier for network operators by allowing them to deploy a wireless backhaul in an incremental fashion.Īlbeit, several commercial WMNs are already available, even at (relatively) low prices, no specific study on the design principles to be followed in order to fully exploit the features of the wireless mesh networking paradigm has been published yet. Moreover, WMNs are the perfect enabling technology for community networks, in that their distributed nature lends itself to a decentralized ownership model where each participant owns and maintains his/hers own hardware. As for example, due to their low-energy requirements, mesh routers can be deployed as completely autonomous units with solar, wind, or hydro power. Mesh routers are typically characterized by a small physical footprint which makes them suitable for a wide range of deployments. Moreover, WMNs can support heterogeneous transmission technologies. WMNs enhance traditional star-shaped network architectures by providing increased robustness (e.g., no single points of failure are present and broken/congested links are encompassed), scalability and flexibility (without the need for deploying cables, connectivity may be provided only where and when needed/economically attractive), and incremental deployment. Unlike the MANET scenario, where all nodes act as both host and routers, in a WMN a distinction exists in terms of functionalities between traffic source/termination points and pure relay devices.Ī typical WMN consists of several nodes (routers and gateways) which exploit multihopping in order to build and maintain a wireless backhaul. Compared to infrastructure networks, WMN offer several advantages: (i) they allow the combination of different wireless technologies, such as cellular, WiFi, and WiMAX (ii) they can be incrementally deployed, in order to gradually extend connectivity and capacity, avoiding massive investments. Wireless Mesh Networks (WMN) represent a technological bridge between mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) and traditional infrastructure networks, such as the ones based on the IEEE 802.11 family of standards.
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