Introduction: Wireless networks have been the main access networks at present, once they allow mobile communication without using wires. Specifically, Wireless Mesh Network -WMN- are a special case of wireless networks that demands for some infrastructure. They are self-configurable; they have a low cost deployment and ease of maintenance. Due to such features, WMNs play a key role among the access networks of the next generation.
Advantages: Simplicity, low cost, easy deployment and maintenance, scalability, Robustness.
Goals:
To investigate protocols and routing metrics for WMNs
To investigate QoE and QoS in WMNs
To investigate management and maintenance processes in WMNs
To investigate new technologies for the next generation networks
To propose new solutions to WMNs
Methodology:
Simulation
Network Simulator (NS2, NS3)
OMNET++
OPNET
Testbed
WMN in an outdoor environment at the UFPA campus
Infrastructure: The UFPA wireless network has some modified routers with embedded OpenWRT firmware in order to work according to the WMNs features. Each access point has a mesh kit containing the following equipment.
TP-Link TL – 1043ND router
18dBi Omnidirectional antenna
hermetic box
RGC 213 cables.
Pigtail connectors
PoE cables