Mesh networking is a way to route data, voice and instructions between nodes. It allows for continuous connections and reconfiguration around broken or blocked paths by "hopping" from node to node until the destination is reached. A mesh network whose nodes are all connected to each other is a fully connected network. Mesh networks differ from other networks in that the component parts can all connect to each other via multiple hops, and they generally are not mobile. Mesh networks can be seen as one type of ad hoc network. Mobile ad-hoc networking (MANet), and mesh networking are therefore closely related, but mobile ad hoc networks also have to deal with the problems introduced by the mobility of the nodes.

Mesh networks are self-healing: the network can still operate even when a node breaks down or a connection goes bad. As a result, a very reliable network is formed. This concept is applicable to wireless networks, wired networks, and software interaction.

Wireless mesh networks is the most topical application of mesh architectures. Wireless mesh was originally developed for military applications but have undergone significant evolution in the past decade.

House's A and B both have internet access through a Broadband connection provided over their respective telephone lines. Let's say for argument sake they both pay 20/month for the privilege, which would mean a total of 480 POUNDS is making its way to broadband providers.

House C would also like to have internet access and proceeds to contact some ISP to have it installed. First question the ISP asks is, "do you have a BT (land) line connection?"

Of course House C has a BT line (doesn't everyone?!), and so signs up for 12 - 18 months with the ISP, bringing the new total going out from all 3 houses for Internet access now to a nice round 720 POUNDS.

This now means we have House A, House B and House C each with their own Internet connection, each with their own monthly bill and each with their own BT line, which we all know is the main requirement to having Broadband installed.

Now all three houses can surf the web, read their emails, download music and video files, access work servers and chat to friends/colleagues.

What if House C doesn't have a BT line but would still like access to the Internet?

Perhaps they do have a BT line but only want the internet for the odd bit of surfing or periodically pick up emails, but don't feel it justifies signing a long contract for. How can this be done?

House C could:

• Ask House A or B if they wouldn't mind sharing their internet wirelessly with them.
  As most households now are going to the trouble securing their wireless LANs using WPA authentication, why would they then allow access to what is potentially a complete stranger? What the heck, why not share your WPA key with the rest of the street?
  The majority of folks with a wireless router tend to have it configured "inside" their household network, which means once successfully connected, anyone will have access to all printer and file shares. As well as having the option to borrow your printer also, your "guest" could also be perusing your personal files as well as your computer based music and movie collection.
• Use some other method of accessing the Internet.
  There are still a number of dial-up providers, but is surfing using technology one step above Morse code really worth the pain?
  Some mobile phone companies are offering data services along with voice plans, some of which at no extra cost for unlimited. However, if you are lucky to have a signal, speeds are not much faster than dial-up (unless you are near a 3G transmitter), the quality of web page display over mobile is a bit suspect and quite a bit of "tinkering" may be involved to get started.
• Approach both houses once more with a "QuickaMesh" Mesh Node!!!

House's A, B and C all have Mesh Nodes. House A and House B have theirs attached to their Internet connections, whilst House C's is standalone.

All 3 nodes "talk" to each other and all know that A and B both have internet connections and that C doesn't. This is done through a constant discovery process whose basic function is to find the quickest route to the Internet point all permitted traffic in that direction, securely. Each Mesh Node is firewalled to prevent unwanted traffic from the Internet and from equipment attached to other Mesh Nodes.

Access is provided by either plugging your computer into the LAN ports on the Mesh Node, or secure wireless logins similar to that found in airports and coffee shops.

House A and House B know House C well enough to reckon he's a standup guy and all 3 agree to pay a 3^rd each of the total internet costs. So, all three are happy with A and B getting a portion of their broadband paid for and C has a constant Internet connection. Instead of paying 240 per year for Internet, all three houses are now just paying 160 each (13/month).

Again, there's still the option of selling tokens to the other punters in the street.

Well, this is just Scenarios 1 and 2 with added benefits of Mesh networking. As House A and B both have broadband connected to QuickaMesh Mesh Nodes, if one connection were to fail (as does happen), all three houses have the added redundancy of the remaining connection allowing continued surfing, emailing and chatting!

Also, all QuickaMesh Mesh Nodes report regularly to a central server which keeps check on the health of all QuickaMesh Nodes globally. So, if one decides to take a sicky we'll know before you and a replacement will already be in the post.

...you'll have your redundancy back when others join in! Why not roam about - your QuickaMesh userid means you can surf from anywhere in the street.

The QuickaMesh Nodes

Currently the QuickaMesh Node is a Linksys WRT54GL broadband router, which has been uploaded with heavily modified firmware based on OpenWRT embedded linux.

It uses a protocol called OLSR (Optimized Link State Routing) to generate and maintain the Mesh and the application Chillispot to provide the wireless access.

In the pipeline is the Asus WL-500W, which can provide exactly the same functionality as the Linksys, but also has two USB ports which have been modified to support extra storage (USB pen and hard drives) and Bluetooth.

Benefits Include

Home Installation

• As explained above, you can cut your internet costs along with increasing the redundancy of your Internet connection.
• With your own wireless userid you'll be able to login anywhere which also has a QuickaMesh node.
• Provide timed access to the Internet to neighbours, guests and perhaps your kids (no more sneakily connecting to the wireless network after their hour is up!).
• No more tinkering. You plug in the power, your DSL connection (if necessary) and that's it! All neighbouring Nodes will be picked up automatically along with the quickest route to the Internet.
• Central Management Server support means you'll have the comfort of knowing that if your router fails, you won't have the frustration of explaining this 100 times to a support person. We'll let you know.
• The Central Server will also update your router automatically, meaning you'll have all the new wireless functionality as it arrives. No more worrying about what will happen if the new firmware upload goes wrong.

Business Installation

• Same benefits as the home installation - redundancy, wireless access, central server, etc.
• Multiple wireless userids to enable your staff to login to other QuickaMesh installations, free.
• Extended your current network wirelessly. No more ugly and hazardous network cables strewn around the place.
• No additional personnel required as the whole infrastructure will be managed by us. Again, we will know if your network is having problems. Your staff can carry on with their work without having to deal with a network support person asking that they "ping" this, "ping" that.
• Timed wireless access through the sale of tokens for customers of hotels, guest houses, coffee shops and waiting areas.
  When a customer connects they will be greeted with your personalised website, with instructions on where to purchase tokens (front desk, bar, etc.) and how to operate.
• The personalised website is a perfect opportunity to also advertise current offers, menus and prices.
• With our Asus model, we provide the ability to send small short adverts to Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones. These would be tailored to your business and display special deals and promotions.

Green Installation

• The Linksys unit requires 12V/0.5A (6W) of power and the Asus 5V/2.5A (12.5W). Both are perfect for power supplied from natural resources.

• An ideal method to help reduce your carbon footprint
• Can be piggy-backed onto current wind and solar based generators with negligible drain, expanding the Internet into areas too rural for regular broadband.
• Festivals and caravan parks can also benefit from this mobile internet technology.