MeshLAN

MeshLAN is a decentralized mesh local area network paradigm designed to provide robust, scalable interconnectivity for devices within a contained area such as homes, campuses, or facilities. A MeshLAN forms a self-organizing network in which nodes relay traffic for one another and routes are discovered automatically, reducing reliance on a single gateway.

Nodes in a MeshLAN can be routers, access points, or smart devices. They announce routes using mesh routing protocols and may operate over wireless technologies such as IEEE 802.11s, Zigbee, or Thread, as well as wired backbones in hybrid deployments.

Key features include self-healing paths, scalable growth by adding nodes, and distributed management that avoids centralized bottlenecks. Address configuration can use DHCP, IPv6 autoconfiguration, or Zeroconf, with gateways bridging the mesh to broader networks.

Common applications include home automation, campus networks, event venues, and emergency response scenarios where conventional infrastructure is limited or damaged.

Advantages include resilience, seamless coverage expansion, and incremental deployment. Challenges cover potential interference, variable throughput and latency, security across many nodes, and variability in implementation. Standards exist for some wireless variants (for example IEEE 802.11s) but real-world MeshLAN deployments often blend multiple technologies.

See also: Mesh networking; Wireless mesh network; Internet of Things; Home automation.