THE FIRETIDE BLOG

A guide to wireless mesh networks

Feb 13, 2015

2015-02-13 Wireless in New Locations.jpgWireless Internet capabilities are a modern requirement in just about every kind of business out there. An increase in the number of personal devices that are active at any given moment has underscored the significance of having a strong wireless network in place. But while evidence continues to grow in support of adjusting Wi-Fi connectivity to handle greater levels of demand, there are some companies out there that have not made network access a priority.

Businesses need quality wireless Internet for a number of reasons. It could be to meet mounting requests for access from customers or adding bandwidth to accommodate new wireless video surveillance solutions. Whatever the need, one of the best ways to improve connectivity is through the use of wireless mesh networks.

What is a wireless mesh network?
One of the biggest obstacles to network implementation and improvement is cabling. As more technology begins to operate without the use of wires, the patience that people are willing to have with cables is dwindling. Wired deployments can take up a lot of time, money and effort – three things that companies generally can’t afford to spare.

This is where wireless mesh can come in handy. According to Transparency Market Research, networks of this varietyreduce cable backhaul associated with these initiatives while also cutting down on radio frequency planning. As such, a growing number of organizations are opting to invest in wireless mesh technology.

“The market for wireless mesh networking has seen rapid growth in recent years driven by proliferation of wireless broadband and Wi-Fi,” TMR stated in a release. “Further, rapid growth of mobile handsets with Internet access and home LANs are adding to the growth momentum of wireless mesh network market. Wireless mesh networks efficiently and cost-effectively enable mission-critical applications including in sectors such as oil and gas, utilities, mining, industrial and smart cities.”

What are the benefits of mesh networks?
Wireless mesh networks have a great deal of potential advantages. In addition to the simplification of the installation process, wireless mesh networks are considered stronger than centralized network architectures, according to Wired contributor Primavera De Filippi.

“Compared to more centralized network architectures, the only way to shut down a mesh network is to shut down every single node in the network,” De Filippi wrote. “That’s the vital feature, and what makes it stronger in some ways than the regular Internet.”

This is something for businesses to think about when reviewing their network capabilities. Downtime is incredibly detrimental to enterprises of all varieties, and taking every step to ensure constant Internet connectivity could be the difference between sinking or swimming in the event of an emergency.

Where can wireless mesh networks come in handy?
There are plenty of places where having wireless access is important. Open office floor plans, large parks and stadiums are all great examples. People don’t want to position themselves near a signal in order to connect to the Internet – they must be capable of roaming. This is what wireless mesh networks were born to support.

“Video surveillance, medical device connectivity and traffic management are some of the fast emerging applications of wireless mesh networks,” TMR stated. “Opportunities in market exist in terms of increasing market for machine-to-machine (M2M) technology and smart grids, which are expected to lead to further growth in demand for wireless mesh networking.”

Be it improved access for customers and employees or to facilitate the creation of a wireless security system, wireless mesh networks can be of great value to any sort of business. In order to get the best network assistance out there, contact Firetide today. There must be a push on the part of business decision makers to ramp up wireless connectivity, and Firetide takes pride helping organizations do so.


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