Get ready for 802.11s -- Intel proposes mesh networking standard
posted Mar 7th 2005 9:43PM
There's 802.11a,
802.11b,
802.11g, 802.11i,
802.11n, and a bunch of other IEEE wireless LAN
standards you don't hear about much, but now Intel has introduced a proposal for 802.11s, which is reserved for mesh
networking. Mesh networking has been around for years, but the basic idea is that instead of the current hub-and-spoke
model of wireless communications, with every device connecting to a central access point, with mesh networking every
device in the area acts as a repeater or router, relaying traffic for everyone else. Whenever you have mesh-enabled
devices in close proximity to each other they automatically create a wireless mesh network, and traffic hops from
device to device until it reaches the nearest Internet access point, reducing the need for central antennas, and
improving wireless coverage. Intel's proposal is for interoperable standard for 802.11s that would be built on top of
and be compatible with the current 802.11a/b/g standards and be designed so that nodes could automatically discover
each other and form mesh networks, as well as for "Mesh Portals" that would be able to connect to regular 802.11
networks. They also want to build into the 802.11s protocol quality of service standards so that the network would know
what traffic to prioritize if you were streaming video around a home network. Sounds pretty fresh, right? Yeah, well
the IEEE hopes to have a standard for 802.11s ratified by 2008.
[Via Slashdot]
couldnt this mean that people could easily mess up their neighbor's internet or possibly log it, if their home router will act as a repeater
I've never understood why it takes years for standards to move through the ratification process. It's not as if mesh networking hasn't been around for a while. Now we're being asked to wait three years while the standards bodies and vendors duke it out over how the final spec.
There's got to be a better way to move these things to market faster.
Carmi
http://writteninc.blogspot.com
2008!? Bummer...
The issue over standards is simple. Too much is at stake. If standards are rushed, not everyone's needs are met. And if that's the case, then some electronics giant will develop their own proprietary standard in an attempt to dominate the market.
Remember. Given the choice between being standardized or proprietary systems, most electronics companies would go proprietary so as to dominate the market.
Is this system similiar (same) as that used by Sonos?
Carmi man you are too serious. Comm'on take a chill pill and prove to us all that bloggers can be cool.
God I wish I dont have to spend another $100 for some stupid card just for wireless internet.
God I wish I dont have to spend another $100 for some stupid card just for wireless internet.
Looks like a recipe for a whole new variation of "man in the middle" attacks.
Isn't this already doable with normal wifi?