Mesh networks make use of multiple Wi-Fi enabled routing devices to extend a Wi-Fi network across a much larger area, for example it is common for users who live in large houses to lose Wi-Fi signal due to the lack of range provided by a single Wi-Fi hotspot alone.
The benefits of using a mesh network especially in a large building is that for example, say you lose signal from the main router when you go into the back garden, an access point could be placed between the garden and another access point to boost the signal, when your phone, tablet or other Wi-Fi connected device loses connection to one access point, it will be seamlessly handed over to the next access point so that your connection remains uninterrupted wherever you go on your property.
The issue currently with creating a Wi-Fi mesh is that you are often required to purchase an expensive Wi-Fi system which will only be compatible with routing devices of the same manufacturer.
Wi-Fi EasyMesh is a newly introduced standard by The Wi-Fi Alliance, who also manage the 802.11 Wi-Fi standards and much more and was introduced with the goal of facilitating networks that talk, self-organise and optimise device attachment. This will allow communication between access points of different manufacturers to address the previously mentioned problem of not being able to extend a mesh network without the use of matching routing devices.
The Wi-Fi Alliance state that the EasyMesh Standard will facilitate;
- Optimizing placement of multiple access points to provide wider coverage
- Automatically adding and configuring new devices
- Automatically adjusting to network conditions for best performance
- Automatically jumping devices to the best connection and limits interference as you move around
- Easily letting you add EasyMesh-compatible access points from any manufacturer