We truly live in the age of technology. We expect scientists and IT consultants to be able to fix any problem that we might have, from diseases to communications issues. There have been so many amazing advances in the last fifty years that we now believe anything is possible. Until recently, this is what had made traditional wireless LANs inadequate for many companies and institutions. Installation of wireless nodes was limited to certain areas, and had to be adapted around external interference and blockages, as well as being close to a source of power. One of the solutions that Asian network operations specialists are now recommending is wireless mesh - a technology that provides much greater reliability and enormous possibilities for companies who value and expect mobility.

The concept of a wireless mesh network is not a new one in Asian network infrastructure, or indeed worldwide - it is based on the same technology that enables us to use the internet. Devices are connected with many redundant connections between nodes - if the network was visualized from above, it would represent a full or partial mesh design. Connectivity is made possible over multiple hops, rather than needing a direct connection to a WLAN device. WMNs are an Asian communication solution that can self-form, self-heal in the case of interruptions, and have distributed network control.

Some of the reasons that mesh technology is becoming so popular with Asian network operations specialists include the expectations of employees, in being able to access wireless internet at any place over a corporate campus, and the cost savings that can be made with voice over wireless LAN (which requires a steady network). Growing physical sizes of corporations and the necessity of wireless across areas like oil rigs and sports stadiums is another demand factor for wireless technology.

Future possibilities envisioned by IT consultants and network performance managers include the possibility of delivering wireless internet over an entire metropolitan area. This is due to the revolutionary characteristics of wireless mesh that make it much more potent than its predecessor. Obviously, there is no need for wired infrastructure, but there is also no need for pre-design of an area for wireless delivery, or for pre-installation of wireless devices. Radio frequency interference is not a problem for mesh networks, they can adapt to its presence, and network failures are automatically routed around, much like water seeking its lowest level by any possible means.

Indoors, Asian network integration specialists can install WMNs with a diameter of several hundred meters, but they can be deployed over an area with diameter of tens of miles in an outdoor setting.

Information technology infrastructure specialists see possibilities for many types of emergency services personnel, for security providers and for students across campuses especially. Services like communication and coordination, monitoring, and virtual libraries are exciting future possibilities for wireless mesh networks.

Datacraft Asia is the leading independent IT Security Consulting Firm in Asia. Datacraft combines an expertise in networking, security, Microsoft solutions, storage and contact centre technologies, with advanced skills in consulting, integration and managed services, to craft IT solutions for businesses. Visit our site to learn more about network operations in Asia.

This entry was posted on Monday, June 8th, 2009 at 9:26 pm and is filed under Information Technology. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.