What is mesh network ? Discover the technology that will revolutionize your home Wi-Fi

 

Do you know what mesh network is? It is a technology capable of improving the quality of the internet signal in all rooms of your home, even those that are furthest from the point of origin of Wi-Fi. However, how is this possible?

This technique is not exactly a novelty and has long been used in large companies. However, home routers did not have anything like it. One of the pioneering experiments in this regard was carried out by Google with its Google WiFi. The device is only marketed in the United States.

In this article, we will understand how mesh networks work and why they represent the future of quality internet in your home.

Inside a mesh network

We can consider a mesh network as a “network of nodes”. Unlike traditional systems, in this case there is not a single router connected to the internet, but several.

Together, they work to carry the same signal to various points in the environment. Making a comparison, it would be as if you have several signal repeaters in your home.

The main advantage here is that there is no loss of signal quality due to the fact that one of these nodes is further away from the main router. On the contrary. In theory, the more nodes there are in the environment, the more intense the signal can get.

Everything will depend on how many routers compatible with this technology you link to the same network.

The difference is in the software

If mesh networks work similarly to what signal repeaters do, why can't they reproduce this technology? The answer is simple: the main differential is in the system.

Each router compatible with mesh networks has special software installed that is responsible for managing the signal distribution.

The idea is to create a smart way to manage the signal. For example, if a task that requires a larger band is being performed in a more distant room, the system takes care of directing a larger part of the signal there.

Thus, all routers help each other, always ensuring maximum efficiency in tasks anywhere in the house.

The connection, therefore, will always remain stable within the range predetermined by the main router. All of this is done automatically, without the user having to take any action.

However, it is still possible to customize the configuration to maintain certain environments with more intense signals permanently.

Cost-effective is better

Anyone who thinks that this new technology might be more expensive is mistaken. When we try to do something similar on a common network, we need more powerful routers and repeaters.

The problem is that they can prove to be inefficient in larger areas. In other words: it is expensive and may not work as you would like.

In the case of mesh networks, the scalability of the idea is simpler and the cost is slightly lower. In return, you are sure that the system will work. Everything will depend on the range you need.

The bigger it is, the more nodes are needed. If on the one hand more routers can make the bill more expensive, on the other hand the unit cost per piece decreases as the quantity increases.

Mesh networks lead the way safely

As already mentioned, the system used is the great advantage of mesh networks. In addition to automating many functions, it is also more configuration friendly. That way, it downloads updates automatically and changing the password often becomes no longer a seven-headed bug.

Finally, it is important to mention that these devices today are less targeted by hackers and eavesdroppers. That's because the software is less vulnerable, which makes the task of the bad guys much more difficult.