The COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent work-from-home policies alerted millions more consumers to the world of Wi-Fi coverage extension. The most encouraging solution for residential Wi-Fi extension is mesh networks, promising a seamless system that is much more resilient than a traditional Wi-Fi network. By the end of , there will be 33.9 million shipments of Wi-Fi mesh network equipment, according to ABI Research. By , that number will be 59 million annual shipments, which signals the full embracement of this technology.
Heyou contains other products and information you need, so please check it out.
Before deciding to invest in developing mesh equipment/services or upgrading your home or office to a wireless mesh network, it&#;s crucial to first define what a mesh network is and to understand the advantages and disadvantages of its deployment.
What Is a Wireless Mesh Network and What Features Come with It?
A mesh network is a Wi-Fi system that does away with the reliance on a single main router for connectivity. This system stems from the fact that central routers usually aren&#;t located in an ideal position to bring about the greatest connectivity.
Instead of relying on a single router, a mesh network features multiple nodes that are installed throughout a residence. One node serves as the primary router and connects to an Internet modem or wireless gateway, while the other nodes share the Wi-Fi signal. Mesh networks are like a hive mind in which all the nodes communicate with one another to automatically self-diagnose latency issues.
Now that a wireless mesh network's features have been laid out, let's take a look at some of the advantages of deploying this connectivity technology.
Advantages of a Mesh Network
Advantage #1: Prevents Downtime
Although the entire network shares the same Service Set Identifier (SSID), sometimes a node in one part of the house might temporarily be weak. But the advantage of a mesh network is that devices will automatically switch to another node that is providing a stronger signal&#;ensuring no downtime for the user.
Advantage #2: Easy to Install
One of the most attractive features of a mesh network is how quick and easy it is to install. Setup typically just requires plugging nodes into power sockets and the use of a mobile app to get up and running. For most people, the biggest challenge will be deciding where to install the main router node, preferably near the cable modem or existing router.
Advantage #3: Scales Well
Another advantageous feature of mesh networks is that when a consumer wants to shift coverage around, no additional equipment is needed; a node can simply be moved to another room. Nearby devices will detect the connection, allowing for smoother connectivity. Moreover, if someone wants to extend mesh Wi-Fi coverage, all it takes is plugging in additional nodes.
Advantage #4: Multi-Device Handling is Top-Notch
In a traditional home Wi-Fi network, every device that&#;s used simultaneously connects to a single main router, often causing latency issues. But devices in a mesh network connect to the closest node or whichever one will provide the best connection.
Decentralizing the network frees up resources and optimizes the Wi-Fi connectivity of each device in use. Families will find this useful, as kids often like to play online video games, while other family members need to access the Internet. Multiple people working from home will also find a mesh network&#;s multi-device handling enjoyable, as their bandwidth needs are greater than the average household.
While the features of a Wi-Fi mesh system provide great benefits for households and small offices, there are some downsides to be aware of.
Related Content
Residential Wi-Fi Mesh and Extender/Repeater Shipments (Charts and Data)
Converged Wi-Fi CPE Value-Added Services Will Prove to be Greater Than the Sum of Their Parts (Insight)
Disadvantages of a Mesh Network
Disadvantage #1: Alternative Solutions May Be Better for Some People
Are you interested in learning more about Eco Mesh? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
Given the high price points of a mesh network, consumers often look for low-cost alternatives like Wi-Fi repeaters and extenders. Although mesh systems are more seamless and offer better connectivity, repeaters and extenders give price-sensitive consumers a viable option to extend their coverage by re-transmitting an existing signal from a Wi-Fi router.
Even with the explosive growth of mesh networks in the last 5 years, repeaters and extenders sales have remained resilient. And through , the level of shipments for extenders and receivers will only decrease from 13.5 million annual shipments to 13.4 million shipments. Clearly, these low-cost alternatives will eat away a good chunk of the residential Wi-Fi market.
See the chart below to gauge demand for residential Wi-Fi mesh and extender/repeaters between and .
Disadvantage #2: Unattainable for Low-Broadband Regions
Mesh networks require strong broadband speeds, making it an unrealistic approach for people living in rural areas and underdeveloped countries. In turn, mesh Wi-Fi vendors and service providers will be at a disadvantage, as they won&#;t be able to penetrate most world markets anytime soon. For these consumers, repeaters and extenders will be the go-to option for Wi-Fi coverage extension.
Disadvantage #3: It&#;s Expensive
Mesh router kits usually cost consumers somewhere around US$300 or more, and each added unit costs US$100 to US$200. This makes mesh networks roughly twice as expensive, if not more than traditional Wi-Fi networks. Although deployment brings great benefits, one of the most obvious disadvantages of a wireless mesh network is that it will be challenging to convince the average consumer that the high cost is worth it, even in developed countries.
Disadvantage #4: Data Hopping Is a Liability
If a mesh node can&#;t communicate with another node, it will skip to the next one until it reaches the central router. This latency-increasing process is referred to as &#;data hopping&#; and it hinders connectivity. And the more nodes installed within the residence, the more data hopping, and subsequent performance issues, will incur. As can be inferred from this disadvantage, multi-hop deployments for wireless mesh networks are best avoided.
Knowledge Is Power
Mesh is carving out a sizable slice of the residential Wi-Fi market because it provides a more consistent and stronger connection for families and buildings with high bandwidth needs, as well as apartment buildings. As remote work continues to be a mainstay in the job force, consumers will look for extension coverage solutions, chiefly among them mesh networks. By reviewing these advantages and disadvantages of a wireless mesh network, decision makers are one step closer to concluding whether the investment is right for their particular organization&#;s needs or their unique Wi-Fi needs at home. Moreover, solution providers are better prepared to meet address the strengths and weaknesses of the modern mesh network.
To take a more in-depth approach to all the emerging trends in home Wi-Fi, read ABI Research&#;s Residential Wi-Fi and Wireless Infrastructure Update research analysis report. This report is part of the company&#;s Wi-Fi, Bluetooth & Wireless Connectivity Research Service.
Plastic has been a threat to nature all over the world in recent decades, and trying to reduce the amount of single use plastic products that are being used around the world has started to become a focus for many countries.
Whenever you go to the store, you used to be asked &#;paper or plastic,&#; but as time has gone on, that&#;s changed to paper or reusable bags.
Plastic bags are a huge waste, especially if they are thrown out as soon as they make it to your home, so it may be time for you to switch to an eco-friendly canvas shopping bag, or to other reusable bags like collapsible grocery shopping bags.
But what are the pros and cons of using a canvas shopping bag?
Obviously, the number one pro to an eco-friendly canvas shopping bag is the fact that it is more environmentally friendly than other options, especially plastic bags.
If you decide to get canvas shopping bags, you&#;ll only need a few bags, and those&#;ll last you several years if you take care of them properly and keep them clean.
That means a lot of grocery store trips where you are not using plastic bags and not throwing out plastic bags after.
A canvas shopping bag is highly reusable. Canvas shopping bags are very durable, so you won&#;t need to replace them very often, again helping with the environment; however, this also means you don&#;t need to worry about whether a store has bags ever again. You have one with you for every shopping trip you may need it for.
Reusable bags, especially canvas shopping bags, are highly durable; they are made from good quality materials that can handle whatever you throw at them.
Plastic bags tend to be thin, and for heavy store items, you may even need to double bag. With a canvas bag, you don&#;t have to worry about double bagging because one bag is enough.
As new plastic reduction legislation comes into play all across the world, plastic bags at stores have started costing money.
At some places, it's up to a dime per plastic bag, which means a canvas shopping bag will save you money in the long run&#;especially if it's going to last for several years.
Related Article: Check out our 15 useful tips and tricks for budget-friendly shopping and Save more on your next grocery trip!
Of course, when you purchase a canvas shopping bag, you can get one that is personalized, or you can personalize it yourself easily.
Draw something fun on your bag, or turn it into an arts and crafts afternoon with your kids by personalizing the family shopping bags.
There are some cons to having an eco-friendly canvas shopping bag, and the big one is bacteria. Since you are reusing the same bag over and over with many different groceries, some of which are going to have sweat and others leaving particles and vegetation behind, the bags need to be kept clean, otherwise bacteria are going to start building up.
As well, reusing the same bag over and over without disinfecting it can mean it becomes a health hazard to those loading up your bags at the store. Fortunately, reusable canvas bags are easily washable.
Related Article: Discover versatile and eco friendly uses of reusable mesh produce bags and add a touch of sustainability to your everyday life!
A canvas shopping bag is often going to take up more space than plastic bags, especially if you are always throwing out your plastic bags. You could consider the extra storage space that is needed to keep your canvas shopping bags out of the way between shopping trips as a con.
You&#;ll likely want multiple bags as well to ensure you have enough for an entire shopping trip.
We recommend storing a couple inside each vehicle and in your purse. Tuck them out of the way in a place where it&#;ll be handy when you happen upon an unexpected shopping excursion.
If you are looking for high quality, durable, and affordable canvas shopping bags, then visit the online store for Organic Cotton Mart today and order yourself a set.
Want more information on a393 reinforcing mesh? Feel free to contact us.