meshyhteyksiä

Meshyhteyksiä, or mesh networking, is a type of network topology where devices, known as nodes, are interconnected in a direct, peer-to-peer manner. Unlike traditional hub-and-spoke or star topologies where all devices communicate through a central point, in a mesh network, each node can communicate with any other node in the network. This creates multiple paths for data to travel.

There are two primary types of mesh networks: full mesh and partial mesh. In a full mesh, every single node is connected directly to every other node. This offers the highest level of redundancy and reliability, as a failure in one connection does not disrupt communication for the entire network. However, it also requires a significant number of connections, making it complex and expensive to implement, especially as the number of nodes increases.

A partial mesh, on the other hand, connects only some of the nodes directly to each other, while others might have connections to only a few other nodes. This offers a balance between redundancy and cost. It still provides multiple paths for data, improving reliability compared to simpler topologies, but with fewer connections than a full mesh.

The advantages of mesh networking include its robustness and self-healing capabilities. If one node or link fails, data can be rerouted through alternative paths. This makes them suitable for applications requiring high availability and resilience. Examples include wireless sensor networks, emergency communication systems, and some modern Wi-Fi solutions designed to extend coverage. The distributed nature also means there is no single point of failure.