Mesh WiFi is a wireless technology that can transmit wireless Internet connections to multiple access points (APs) through wireless connections. Mesh WiFi allows extended coverage when cabling is not available, while still enabling roaming for client annotations (in the ESSID-Extended Service Set ID). The AP manages the path selection from the client through the repeater to the gateway, and prevents the formation of loops in the mesh structure to the distributed system.
The purpose of creating a mesh network is that there is no single point of failure: if one part fails, the rest will continue to operate. This is achieved by letting every device in the mesh network communicate with every other device that connects it to the Internet.
Mesh WiFi can extend and forward signals between access points that cannot be connected to the data path by cables. This enables IT service providers to install access points anywhere in the building, thereby providing greater network coverage flexibility.
Mesh networks are very reliable in design, so they are more popular than traditional WiFi when it comes to providing customers with network as a service (NaaS). An IT service provider or MSP can manage 100 business networks for customers, so it is important to have a network that can interconnect and provide continuous connections in the same office building.
Some mesh WiFi systems (such as Datto Networking) can also be managed through the cloud. This enables MSP to remotely manage the network, configure devices through saved templates, and even monitor the network through integration with Datto RMM.
Yes, Datto's cloud management access point is specifically designed for MSP to ensure strong and reliable wireless performance. Combining the advantages of WiFi-6, MSP can provide an efficient and secure wireless network and expand the coverage of always-connected WiFi.
In contrast, traditional wireless networks generally rely on a hub, which is responsible for processing all data packets from each device in the network. In this type of setup, any data packet needs to be sent through this central node before it can be transmitted to its final destination, so only one connection can be established with any given device at a time.
One of the main benefits of deploying a mesh WiFi network is the ability to roam around the office without losing the connection. Traditional networks that rely on WiFi bridges or duplicate BSSIDs are not the same throughout the network, so moving in an office environment may be a painful experience for customers, which may lead to the feeling of poor network services provided by IT MSP.
Mesh WiFi uses standards (such as 802.11s), where the mesh topology is more complex, and repeaters or access points are all part of the same ESSID (Extended Service Set ID) to provide seamless connections.
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In terms of network, it is best to connect to the main distribution frame or independent distribution frame (MDF/IDF) through cables. However, when it comes to large spaces or complex environments, this is not always feasible. This is where the WiFi connection comes into play. By deploying a mesh WiFi network, you can get a reliable connection that can withstand the failure of a single access point.
Although this is possible in theory, it is not recommended.
When operating across large spaces or across buildings, network performance may drop significantly from channel availability or interference to maximizing the number of network hops. This is also a problem. It is necessary to bring all buildings to the traffic load of the building through half-duplex and dual-task radio. For this reason, it is strongly recommended to use a dedicated point-to-point or p2multipoint bridging solution.
It is generally recommended to run a wired network between different business locations or office buildings, and then mesh each individual location instead of meshing the entire environment.
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Mesh WiFi is a network system that creates high-performance coverage in your entire business environment. It does this by distributing the signal between different points in the house to limit interference and optimize speed.
On the other hand, the range extender can enhance your current WiFi signal to expand its coverage. Unlike a mesh network, a range extender cannot provide you with the coverage of your entire office. Mesh WiFi provides better performance than range extenders and is more versatile because it can cover a large area or even go out.
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Datto Holding Corp. released this content on November 28, 2021, and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by the public at 15:20:05, November 30, 2021, UTC time, unedited and unaltered.