What is Mesh Topology: Working, Advantages & Disadvantages

 Mesh Topology

A mesh topology is a type of network architecture where devices are interconnected with each other in a way that forms a web-like structure. In a mesh topology, every device is connected to every other device in the network, which means that there are multiple paths for data to travel from one device to another. This redundancy in connections provides a high degree of reliability and fault tolerance, as data can be rerouted in case of a link failure.

Mesh topologies can be implemented in two ways: full mesh and partial mesh.

 

In a full mesh topology, every device is directly connected to every other device in the network. 

In a partial mesh topology, only some devices are directly connected to every other device, while others are connected to only a few. Partial mesh topologies are more common due to their lower cost and complexity, while full mesh topologies are typically used in critical applications that require maximum reliability and fault tolerance.

Working of Mesh Topology:

In a mesh topology, each node is connected to every other node in the network directly. This is done by running cables or wireless connections between the nodes. When a device wants to send data to another device in a mesh network, it first checks its routing table to determine the best path to the destination. If there are multiple paths available, the device selects the path with the shortest distance or least blocking.

When a node in the network wants to send data to another node, it sends the data to all the nodes it is directly connected to. Each of these nodes then forwards the data to all the nodes they are directly connected to, and so on until the data reaches its destination. This process is called routing.

Mesh topology provides redundancy as there are multiple paths available between any two nodes in the network. This means that if one path fails, the data can still be transmitted through another path. This makes mesh topology highly reliable. Mesh topology is highly scalable as new nodes can be added to the network without affecting the performance of the network. Each node added to the network increases the number of paths available between the nodes, making the network even more reliable.

In a mesh topology, there is no central control point or hierarchy. Each node is equal and has the same responsibilities. Mesh topology can be expensive to implement as it requires a large number of connections between nodes. However, the cost can be justified by the high reliability and scalability of the network.

Advantages of Mesh Topology:

Following are some advantages of using mesh topology.

High Reliability: Mesh topology is highly reliable because it provides redundancy, meaning that if one node fails, data can still be transmitted through other nodes.

Fault Tolerance: Mesh topology is fault-tolerant because it can automatically re-route data if a node fails or a connection is broken.

Scalability: Mesh topology is scalable because new nodes can be added to the network without affecting the existing network.

High Performance: Mesh topology provides high performance because data can be transmitted through multiple paths, resulting in faster transmission times.

Security: Mesh topology provides better security because data is transmitted through multiple paths, making it difficult for unauthorized users to intercept.

Disadvantages of Mesh Topology:

Following are some disadvantages of using mesh topology.

Complexity: Mesh topology is complex and difficult to design and implement because of the large number of nodes and connections.

Cost: Mesh topology can be expensive to implement because of the large number of cables and hardware required.

Maintenance: Mesh topology can be difficult to maintain because of the large number of nodes and connections.

Bandwidth: Mesh topology can have limited bandwidth because each node has to transmit data through multiple paths, resulting in slower transmission times.

Installation: Mesh topology can be difficult to install because of the large number of cables and hardware required, which can result in longer installation times.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, mesh topology is a highly reliable and fault-tolerant network topology that provides redundancy and multiple paths for data transmission. It is ideal for large networks that require high reliability, performance, and security. However, mesh topology can be complex, expensive, and difficult to maintain, which may limit its adoption in smaller networks or those with limited resources. Despite these drawbacks, the benefits of mesh topology make it a popular choice for many organizations looking for a robust network infrastructure.