How to make mesh networking a reality

The first step toward creating a mesh network -- where wireless access points are tied into a wired network infrastructure -- is assessing and evaluating what your wireless requirements are today and what you expect to need in the future. Once you determine that a mesh makes sense, then it's time to look for one vendor partner since the lack of standards is currently limiting interoperability for using more than one maker's system.

Next it's time to determine the best design approach -- a decision that depends on what you need the mesh to do, what your traffic needs are and what will work best with your current network schema. Make sure you keep scalability in mind with both design and deployment. Get deeper insight on the various issues involved with mesh networks and a quick look at the top service providers bringing the technology to market today.

For more on mesh making:
- read this Mobile Pipeline article