How to extend range in Wi- Fi?

Wi-Fi “extenders”.

Inexpensive.

They set up a new SSID, and forward all traffic to the original SSID.

Multi-hop configurations are possible.

• Require manual configuration.

Because the original access point and the extender have different SSIDs.

• Many devices will not automatically connect to whichever is closer.

• They prefer to maintain connection with the original SSID until that signal disappears.

• This is, for many mobile users, reason enough to give up on this strategy.

Mesh

Different standards.

• IEEE 802.11s standard.

  • Focuses on the setup of the mesh networks.

  • Uses a mandatory routing protocol – Hybrid Wireless Mesh Protocol.

  • Mesh Stations can collocate 802.11 AP’s and provide access to the mesh network for 802.11 devices.

  • A Mesh Gateway interconnects the mesh to other non-802 networks.

• Wi-Fi Alliance standard (a.k.a., “EasyMesh”).

  • Focuses on more “easy” setup of mesh WiFi networks.

    • incorporates parts of the IEEE 1905.1 standard for home networks, which simplifies initial configuration.

  • Specifies that one access point – the one connected to the Internet – will be a “Multi- AP” Controller.

  • the other access points are called Agents.

  • The EasyMesh standard also.

Wi-Fi EasyMesh

WiFi Alliance Certification program that defines multiple access point home and small office Wi-Fi networks that are easy to install and use, self-adapting, and add multi-vendor interoperability.

This technology brings both consumers and service providers additional flexibility in choosing Wi-Fi EasyMesh devices for home deployment.

Wi-Fi EasyMesh uses a controller to manage the network, which consists of the controller, plus additional APs, called agents.

Establishing controllers to manage and coordinate activity among the agents ensures that each AP does not interfere with the other, bringing both expanded, uniform coverage and more efficient service.

EasyMesh specification relies on other standards / specification, either by extending them or simply referencing them.

This includes, most notably:

• Building on and extending IEEE Standard 1905.1 to configure Wi-Fi access point interfaces.

  • Discovery: how nodes are finding each other and identifying the controller.

  • Push-Button Configuration: to initialize "onboarding" of access points-the process commonly referred to as "meshing".

  • Backhaul communication: Communication between the nodes / access points in the mesh network.