The document discusses the evolution of wireless mesh networks (WMNs) and their advantages over traditional wireless networks. It describes how WMNs allow for flexible, self-configuring networks by replacing wired infrastructure with wireless links. WMNs can support a wide range of applications by providing cost-effective broadband access where it is difficult or expensive to install wired connections. The author argues that heterogeneous mesh networking using multiple wireless technologies is the best approach to create high-capacity access networks and support mobility.

1. Politecnico di Milano
Advanced Network Technologies Laboratory
Evoluzione delle Reti Mesh con
Collegamenti Eterogenei ad
Alta Velocità
Antonio Capone
Roma, 2 Dicembre 2008

2. Politecnico di Milano
Advanced Network Technologies Laboratory
The Evolution toward
heterogeneous high speed
mesh networking
Antonio Capone
Roma, 2 Dicembre 2008

3. Ad hoc Networks: myth
and reality
Mobile Ad hoc Network (MANET)
relay
source
destination
relay
Huge research effort (~330.000
scientific papers published – source Google
Scholar)
Only few real applications
Antonio Capone http://antlab.elet.polimi.it 3

4. “Sons” of ad hoc networks
AD HOC
Wireless Sensor Vehicular Area Wireless Mesh
Networks (WSN) Networks Networks (WMN)
(VANET)
Antonio Capone http://antlab.elet.polimi.it 4

5. The Evolution Path
Toward WMNs
The problem:
In many Eth
applications er n
creating a et
wired
infrastructure
for wireless
access
networks, like
traditional
WLAN WiFi, is
not possible or Solution:
too expensive Replacing wired
infrastructure with
wireless links
Antonio Capone http://antlab.elet.polimi.it 5

6. The Evolution Path
Toward WMNs (contd)
First possible solution:
Wireless Distribution
System
Manual configuration of
wireless links
Can be used only with small
size networks
Antonio Capone http://antlab.elet.polimi.it 6

7. The Evolution Path
Toward WMNs (contd)
Wireless networks of
point-to-point links
Use of point-to-point
links based on traditional
technologies (e.g. SDH)
or low cost ones (WiFi,
Hiperlan)
Solution adopted by
several WISPs and Weaknesses:
system integrators Very low flexibility
Two possible Complex configuration
architectures:
like with WAN
Non-meshed topologies
Meshed topologies with No support for nomadic
IP based routing (e.g. users
OSPF)
Antonio Capone http://antlab.elet.polimi.it 7

8. The “true” Wireless Mesh
Networks
Mesh routers (MRs) Internet
Internet
manage routing mesh
automatically based gateway
on ad hoc network
technologies
Devices are flexible
and self-configuring mesh
router
All or a subset of MRs
act as access points
(Wi-Fi hot spot) mesh
client
Some devices are the Access Link
gateways to the Backhaul
Internet Gateway Link
Antonio Capone http://antlab.elet.polimi.it 8

9. Advantages of WMNs
Not only wireless access but also wireless
infrastructure
The only viable solution in most of the
application scenarios
Probably the best in all cases under the
cost/flexibility perspective
WMNs deployment
Ease up
time-to-
deployment
Reduced
CAPEX/OPEX
Antonio Capone http://antlab.elet.polimi.it 9

10. Applications
Large range of application scenarios
where creating a wired infrastructure
is not possible or cost effective
Municipal wireless networks
Temporary networks
Industrial networks
Retrofits
Surveillance
Environmental monitoring
Traffic control
Antonio Capone http://antlab.elet.polimi.it 10

11. Evolution of WMN beyond
WiFi MESH
The concept of mesh
networking is not
dependent on the
communication technology
adopted
It is just based on the idea
of creating a flexible and
easy to use network that is
able to self-configure and
dynamically adapt to
operation conditions
Antonio Capone http://antlab.elet.polimi.it 11

12. From traditional IP to mesh
networking
The traditional IP technology is
today the only one widely adopted
in all portions of the network (core
and access)
Also IP is independent from the GENI
communication technology
But the basic networking paradigm
has been unchanged for 30 years
A huge research effort is ongoing to Internet of
design the new networking the Future
technologies for the Internet of the
future
Antonio Capone http://antlab.elet.polimi.it 12

13. What is the Future
Internet?
Courtesy of Dr. Arian Zwegers
European Commission
Antonio Capone http://antlab.elet.polimi.it 13

14. All wireless technologies are
going ‘mesh’
Pervasive broadband applications
require high capacity wireless
networks
Small cells (100-200 m) with high
transmission rate (100Mb/s-1Gb/s)
The only viable option for creating
this type of access networks is
mesh
WiMax mesh mode has been
recently standardized (802.16j)
LTE relay mode is being considered
by standardization committees
Antonio Capone http://antlab.elet.polimi.it 14

15. Mesh networking as a new
paradigm for access networks
Are we really sure that single technology
mesh networks are the solution?
Also in mesh networks we have an access
part and a backbone
The best technology for the access depends
on several issues (terminal availability,
frequency assignment policies, etc.)
While for the backbone we can use all the
communication technologies that allow us to
provide high capacity links to the huge
number of small access cells
Antonio Capone http://antlab.elet.polimi.it 15

16. Mesh networking as a new
paradigm for access networks
Tradition IP networking is not really an option
here due to the complexity of network
deployment and configuration
Mesh networking is the new paradigm for
Mesh networking is the new paradigm for
pervasive, high speed, heterogeneous
pervasive, high speed, heterogeneous
access network
access network
It’s the only approach that can today overcome
the obstacles that prevent the creation of large
high capacity access networks that exploits the
best transmission technologies available
Mobility support to nomadic/mobile users as a
distinguishing feature
Antonio Capone http://antlab.elet.polimi.it 16

17. New generation mesh devices
New mesh devices will be able to be
equipped with a large number of different
interfaces and will be able to dynamically
adapt to the application scenario
Point-to-point BPLC
wireless links
WiMax Overlay virtual links
LTE Ethernet
Sensor networks PON
...
WiFi, Hiperlan,
... Access technology
(Today WiFi, tomorrow ??)
Antonio Capone http://antlab.elet.polimi.it 17

18. Experimental Projects in
the Academic Labs
MIT Roofnet
First experimental project
Low cost HW
Software open-source
Other projects
GeorgiaTech BWN-Mesh
Rice University
Rutgers Winlab ORBIT
SUNY Stonybrook Hyacinth
MobiMESH PoliMI
Several academic projects
have contributed to the
commercial exploitation of
the technology
Antonio Capone http://antlab.elet.polimi.it 18

19. MobiMESH Project
Started by ANTLab, Politecnico
di Milano in 2004
Initial goal:
Create an experimental platform
for testing innovative solutions for
routing, mobility management,
network configuration and
management MobiMESH first
prototype
Soon coupled with the goal of:
Designing advanced mesh
networking solutions and products
for the market
Thanks to the interest and support
of VoiSmart
Antonio Capone http://antlab.elet.polimi.it 19

20. MobiMESH Project
MobiMESH is now a
complete and innovative
Wireless Mesh platform
We continue to work on
new services and network
architectures
The evolution toward the
new generation of mesh
networking devices is
already a reality in our labs
Antonio Capone http://antlab.elet.polimi.it 20

21. MobiMESH
Today MobiMESH is also a MESH
spin-off company of technology
Politecnico di Milano made in Italy
Thanks!
Thanks!
Questions?
Questions?
Partner industriale e commerciale
Antonio Capone http://antlab.elet.polimi.it 21