Dell PowerConnect W-IAP92 Dell Instant 6.1.3.4-3.1.0.0 User Guide - Page 67

Chapter 4 Mesh Network The Dell PowerConnect W-Instant secure enterprise mesh solution is an effective way to expand network coverage for outdoor and indoor enterprise environments without any wires. As traffic traverses across mesh IAPs, the mesh network automatically reconfigures around broken or blocked paths. This self-healing feature provides increased reliability and redundancy- the network continues to operate if an IAP stops functioning or a connection fails. This chapter describes the Dell Instant secure enterprise mesh architecture. Mesh Instant Access Points A Dell Instant mesh network requires at least one valid uplink (wired or 3G) connection. The IAP with the valid uplink connection is the mesh portal. The mesh portal may also act as a Virtual Controller. The unwired IAPs are mesh points. If two IAPs have valid uplink connections, there is redundancy in the mesh network, and most mesh points try to mesh directly with one of the two portals. However, depending on actual deployment and RF environment some mesh points may mesh through other intermediate mesh points. In an Instant mesh network, the maximum hop count is two nodes (point >point >portal) and the maximum number of mesh points per mesh portal is eight. Mesh IAPs learn about their environment when they boot up. Mesh IAPs can act as a mesh portal (MPP), an IAP that uses its uplink connection to reach the controller, a mesh point (MP), or an IAP that establishes an all wireless path to the mesh portal. Mesh IAPs locate and associate with their nearest neighbor, which provides the best path to the mesh portal. Mesh portals and mesh points are also known as mesh nodes, a generic term used to describe IAPs configured for mesh. Instant mesh functionality is supported only on dual radio IAPs and not on single radio IAPs. On dual-radio IAPs, the 5 GHz radio is always used for both mesh-backhaul and client traffic, while the 2.4 GHz radio is always used for client traffic only. NOTE: Mesh service is automatically enabled on 802.11a band for dual-radio IAP only, and this is not configurable. The only limitation is that it has to be provisioned for the first time by plugging into the wired network. After that, mesh works on ROW IAP like any other regulatory domain. Mesh Portals The mesh portal (MPP) is the gateway between the wireless mesh network and the enterprise wired LAN. The mesh roles are automatically assigned based on the IAP configuration. A mesh network could have multiple mesh portals to support redundant mesh paths (mesh links between neighboring mesh points that establish the best path to the mesh portal) from the wireless mesh network to the wired LAN. The mesh portal broadcasts a mesh services set identifier (MSSID/ mesh cluster name) to advertise the mesh network service to other IAP mesh points in that instant network. This is not configurable and is transparent to Dell PowerConnect W-Series Instant Access Point 6.1.3.4-3.1.0.0 | User Guide Mesh Network | 67