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 Think about it: you typically have to run wires to access
points to enable a wireless LAN (WLAN). That didn't sound
right to us, either. So we developed our unique SmartMesh
Networking approach.
With SmartMesh Networking, you reduce cumbersome RF
planning and costly cable backhaul, as Ethernet wiring is no
longer needed to connect to individual access points.
Enterprise WLAN deployment becomes dramatically faster,
simpler, and less costly, as access points are simply
plugged into any convenient power source. No extensive RF
site surveys, cable runs, configuration, or optimization
adjustments are required.
SmartMesh Networking is the first Wi-Fi meshing approach
that combines high-gain smart antenna arrays, sophisticated
RF routing, and centralized management in a single WLAN
system. And it extends Smart Wi-Fi technology to create a
new class of reliable WLANs that are self-organizing,
self-optimizing, and self-healing.
SmartMesh Networking:
- Offers high performance, by combining 802.11n with Smart Wi-Fi technology
- Provides reliable connectivity between mesh nodes, using best path selection and interference avoidance techniques
- Adapts in real time to environmental changes, ensuring highly-reliable and available wireless trunk links
- Utilizes efficient "tree" topology that minimizes convergence risks and latency, while maximizing performance
- Features easy, one-click setup and one-screen management
- Half the time, half the cost, three times the performance
SmartMesh extends Ruckus-patented Smart Wi- Fi technology
to create a new class of reliable and high-performance wireless
LANs that are selforganizing, self-optimizing and self-healing.
It is the first Wi-Fi meshing approach that combines high-gain
smart antenna arrays, sophisticated RF routing and centralized
management with a single WLAN system.
Smart Wi-Fi Makes all the Difference
Ruckus Smart Wi-Fi technology is used by the SmartMesh to
form, direct and steer Wi-Fi signals over the best performing
paths between mesh nodes, as well as to associated clients.
This enables the SmartMesh to adapt in real time to environmental
changes, ensuring highly reliable and available wireless trunk
links.
Each ZoneFlex APs within the SmartMesh integrates an intelligent,
high-gain antenna array that provides diversity and extended
signal range. This ensures high performance by minimizing the
number of mesh hops and reducing the number of mesh APs required.
Additionally, this same smart antenna array allows the SmartMesh
to continuously choose from thousands of antenna patterns, to
avoid or reject interference, and to maintain high performance
connections between mesh nodes.
How Ruckus SmartMesh Works
With SmartMesh, each ZoneFlex AP functions as a wireless
node within the mesh. SmartMesh uses antenna-ranking techniques
to determine the best upstream path through the RF to the backhaul
AP.
SmartMesh topology is automatically determined based on the
potential throughput of each node. Potential throughput is the
actual throughput of its uplink (i.e., how fast the uplink AP
can get a packet to the wired network) as well as the potential
throughput to the uplink AP. This is based on the actual throughput
to the uplink AP, signal strength, and other considerations
such as AP load and hop count.
Each AP in the mesh determines the best mesh node with which
to associate. Each upstream ZoneFlex AP continually advertises
its Smart Mesh characteristics including its own potential throughput
and the path through which it is connected to the wired network.
This allows other APs to make real-time topology decisions,
reacting to any changes in the environment.
In the event of an AP failure or if an upstream path drops
below a set performance threshold due to overloading or interference,
a new path to the best performing AP is selected. This efficient
“tree” topology minimizes convergence risks and latency while
maximizing performance.
Simple to Deploy
To enable SmartMesh administrators simply click a check box
within the ZoneFlex Setup Wizard. Once the WLAN is configured,
the administrator attaches the SmartMesh access points to the
ZoneDirector for autoprovisioning. After provisioning is complete,
the administrator can place the ZoneFlex APs virtually anywhere.
Once plugged into any power source, Ruckus SmartMesh determines
the optimal network topology and each ZoneFlex AP chooses the
best mesh path back to a root AP.
Simple to Manage
All management of the SmartMesh is performed from the ZoneDirector.
There, administrators can view a topology map of the mesh, see
associated clients and make any desired changes.
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Smart
Mesh Networking