2.3 Given a scenario, select and configure wireless devices and technologies
Network Types
📘CompTIA Network+ (N10-009)
1. What is a Mesh Network?
A mesh network is a type of network where every device (or node) is connected to multiple other devices, creating a web-like structure. Unlike traditional networks where devices only connect to a central hub or router, in a mesh network:
- Devices communicate directly with each other.
- Data can take multiple paths to reach its destination.
- There is no single point of failure (if one node fails, data can reroute through other nodes).
Key idea: Redundancy and reliability are built into the network.
2. Components of a Mesh Network
A mesh network typically includes:
- Nodes:
- These are the devices in the network. They can be routers, access points, or other devices with networking capabilities.
- Each node can forward traffic for other nodes.
- Backhaul:
- The connection between nodes that allows them to share data.
- Can be wired (Ethernet) or wireless.
- Controller (optional):
- Some mesh networks have a central controller to manage nodes, but many are self-healing and self-configuring, meaning nodes automatically find the best paths without manual setup.
3. How Mesh Networks Work
- When a device wants to send data, it doesn’t just go through one path.
- The network decides the best route, based on:
- Current traffic
- Signal strength
- Node availability
- If a node goes down, the network automatically reroutes the data through another node.
This is called:
- Self-healing: Network recovers automatically if a node fails.
- Self-configuring: Network automatically sets up connections between nodes.
4. Types of Mesh Networks
- Full Mesh:
- Every node connects to every other node directly.
- Pros: Maximum redundancy.
- Cons: Complex and expensive as the number of nodes increases.
- Partial Mesh:
- Some nodes are connected to multiple nodes, but not every node connects to every other node.
- Pros: Reduces complexity and cost.
- Cons: Less redundancy compared to full mesh.
5. Advantages of Mesh Networks
- High reliability: No single point of failure.
- Scalable: Easy to add more nodes without redesigning the network.
- Flexible coverage: Wireless mesh networks can cover large areas without needing a lot of cables.
- Optimal routing: Traffic automatically takes the best path.
6. Disadvantages of Mesh Networks
- Cost: More nodes can increase expenses.
- Complexity: Larger networks require careful management.
- Latency: Each “hop” between nodes adds slight delay.
- Bandwidth: Wireless mesh networks may have reduced throughput as data hops through multiple nodes.
7. Mesh Networks in IT Environments
Mesh networks are widely used in IT environments like:
- Enterprise Wi-Fi: Large offices with multiple access points use wireless mesh to provide seamless coverage. Devices roam between nodes without losing connectivity.
- Data Centers: Wired mesh topologies are used for redundancy in high-speed networks.
- IoT Networks: Smart devices communicate reliably across multiple nodes.
- Disaster Recovery: Temporary networks can be set up quickly if the main network fails.
8. Key Terms to Remember for the Exam
- Node: A network device in the mesh.
- Self-healing: The network automatically reroutes traffic if a node fails.
- Self-configuring: The network automatically finds the best connections.
- Full Mesh vs Partial Mesh: Full mesh = every node connected to every node; Partial mesh = some nodes connected to multiple nodes.
9. Exam Tip
- If a question asks about a network that automatically reroutes traffic, provides redundancy, and has multiple paths between devices, the correct answer is usually Mesh Network.
- Compare with:
- Star: One central hub, failure of hub = whole network down.
- Bus: Single cable, failure of cable = network down.
- Ring: Data passes in one direction, failure breaks the loop.
- Mesh: Multiple paths, very reliable.
Summary
Mesh networks are highly reliable, flexible, and scalable networks where nodes communicate directly with each other. They are self-healing and self-configuring, making them ideal for enterprise Wi-Fi, IoT, and critical IT infrastructure. The main exam focus is redundancy, multiple paths, and automatic routing.
