Wireless Mesh Networks (WMNs) are one of the key technologies which will dominate wireless networking in the next decade. They will help to realize the long-lasting dream of network connectivity anywhere anytime with simplicity and low cost. Accordingly they will play a major role within the next generation Internet. Their capability for self-organization significantly reduces the complexity of network deployment and maintenance, and thus, requires minimal upfront investment.
These networks consist of simple mesh routers and mesh clients, where mesh routers have minimal mobility and form the backbone of WMNs. They provide network access for both mesh and conventional clients. The integration of WMNs with other networks such as the Internet, cellular, IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.15, IEEE 802.16, sensor networks, etc., can be accomplished through the gateway and bridging functions in the mesh routers. Mesh clients can be either stationary or mobile, and can form a client mesh network among themselves and with mesh routers. WMNs are anticipated to resolve the limitations and to significantly improve the performance of ad hoc networks, wireless local area networks (WLANs) wireless personal area networks, (WPANs), and wireless metropolitan area networks (WMANs). These networks deliver wireless services to a large variety of applications in personal, local, campus, and metropolitan areas.
