Mesh Topology

In a mesh topology, there is no central connection point. Instead, each node is connected to at least one other node and usually to more than one. Each node is capable of sending messages to and receiving messages from other nodes. The nodes act as relays, passing on a message towards its final destination.

There are two types of mesh topology:

• full mesh topology
• partial mesh topology

Mesh networks are becoming increasingly popular due to their efficiency.

1.1.1. Full Mesh Topology

Full mesh topology occurs when every node has a circuit connecting it to every other node in a network. Full mesh yields the greatest amount of redundancy, so if a node fails, network traffic can be directed to any of the other nodes. Full mesh is usually reserved for backbone networks.

Full-mesh topology works well in a small network. For example; less than five devices. But as the number of devices in the network increases, Full-Mesh topology-based networks become complex. It is not easy to connect 500 computers together in a full-mesh topology.

The following images show some computers connected together using partial-mesh topology.

1.1.2. Advantages of full-mesh topology

The Redundancy of paths is the main advantage of full-mesh topology. If a connection between two devices failed, there is always an alternate path available to reach the destination.

Because of the extreme level of redundancy, full-Mesh topology is often used in the core layer and distribution layer of hierarchical network designs. Full-Mesh topology is also used for server connectivity redundancy and site-to-site WAN connectivity redundancy.

1.1.3. Disadvantages of full-mesh topology

• The cabling costs of the full-mesh topology-based network can be very high.

• It is not easy to troubleshoot a large full-Mesh topology-based network.

1.1.4. partial mesh topology

Partial mesh topology is a way to map multiple routers in such a way that they are tightly coupled among themselves but not fully inter-connected. Talking of partial mesh it becomes important for us to discuss briefly the mesh as both are interrelated to each other.

The following images show some computers connected together using partial-mesh topology.

Partial-mesh topology is less complex than full-mesh topology but less redundant than full-mesh topology. The implementation cost of partial-mesh topology is less than full-mesh topology.