Elements and Performance Criteria
- Research wireless mesh networks and formulate the system architecture
- Confirm, with regulatory spectrum management authority, the specific regulations regarding radio characteristics
- Contact customer to determine wireless mesh network design specifications
- Evaluate the use of frequency bands for operation of the wireless mesh networks (WMN)
- Evaluate and select wireless technology, internet protocol (IP) version and mesh routing protocol to satisfy design criteria
- Specify and source hardware and software requirements
- Prepare a detailed plan for the mesh network
- Evaluate the maximum line of sight distances achievable between backbone nodes and between mesh nodes
- Plan sites where mesh nodes will be located and plot to scale on a map
- Estimate quantity and length of the links required between mesh nodes to ensure design is within specifications
- Design backbone links in mesh topology for scalability of future deployments
- Select location of the internet gateway for the network
- Allocate operating frequencies at mesh nodes, backbone nodes and wireless access points for optimum network performance with minimal interference from adjacent network routers
- Plan IP addresses and subnet mask
- Document the mesh network