Redefining WLAN Economics with SmartMeshing

With the proliferation of WiFi-embedded laptops and handsets, Wireless LANs (WLANs) are becoming an integral part of enterprise networks. However, organizations with ubiquitous WLAN coverage are still in the minority. The reality is that businesses are still struggling with the complexity and cost of installing and managing large-scale WLANs.

A WLAN deployment typically entails a lengthy planning process involving complex RF design and labor-intensive cabling. Worse, the work is not over after the network is deployed. With more users, new devices, multimedia applications, ongoing moves/adds/changes and the dynamic nature of the RF environment, it is necessary to survey the WLAN and make adjustments from time to time to restore optimal performance and coverage.

In the process, if the need to add or relocate Wi-Fi access points (APs) arises, availability of Ethernet runs to the desired coverage areas may become a showstopper. Often, the cost of installing new cables dwarfs that of the WLAN equipment, especially when it interferes with everyday business.

Wi-Fi meshing is a potential solution to this problem. An enterprise mesh WLAN is made up of a group of cooperating APs, only some of which are directly attached to an Ethernet. The APs form a wireless topology to route client traffic between any member of the mesh and the wired network. Meshing greatly reduces, if not eliminates, WLAN cabling costs and delays as well as AP placement constraints. But despite these compelling benefits, most enterprises have not overcome their concerns over the performance, reliability and complexity of mesh WLANs to take advantage of it on a broad scale.

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