Wireless Mesh Network
The New Era of WLAN

Madan Jagernauth

Director, Business And Technology Strategy

Wireless Mesh Network

Vendor Soup
15 February 2005

Agenda

Introduction of Wireless Mesh Network concept

Wireless Mesh Network deployment models

Introduction to Nortel Networks Wireless Mesh Network solution

Including some technical details (radio technology, community area networks, mobility, and security)

Sample of current deployments

Conclusion of Wireless Mesh Networks Discussion

A view of WiMAX and how WiMAX and Wireless Mesh Networks could work together

Traditional WLAN

APs connected in star topology

Each AP is connected directly to the wired network

In public deployments, backhaul using leased narrowband (E1/T1, DSL) links

Advantages

Does not require separate power source

Inexpensive and simple to deploy

Challenges

Deployment limited by Ethernet cable length (max 100m)

In public, capacity limited by narrowband backhaul (E1/T1, DSL)

Wireless Mesh Network

Wireless Access Points connected in peer-to-peer topology

Backhaul using wireless broadband links

A few Network Access Points connected to broadband network at convenient locations

Advantages

Backhaul via broadband wireless links

Does not require any cabling to APs

Simplifies network design / deployment, reduces ongoing OPEX

Employs wireless peer-to-peer devices for efficient routing, fault recovery

Challenges

Requires AC power at the AP

Flexible Deployment Models

Wireless Mesh Network
Innovative WLAN Access Solution

Wireless AP 7220

Indoor/outdoor Access Point

802.11b/g access link

802.11a transit link with smart antennas

Self-configuring, self-healing mesh formation

Mobility client proxy for seamless subscriber mobility within the Community Area Network

Wireless Gateway 7250

Enterprise class router

Advertises reachability (within Enterprise/ISP Distribution Network) for WLAN Community Area Network subscribers

Provides WLAN CAN-specific mobility anchor point

Provides data security for the mesh transit link

Network Management

APs and Gateway support SNMP network management interfaces

Currently integrated with Nortel’s Optivity NMS:

Centralized facility for monitoring and managing network operations, leveraging a field proven end-to-end network mgmt solution

Discovery & visualization of WG 7250 & AP 7220

Fault management – traps, faults, system log

Real-time performance metrics – utilization, errors, interface metrics

Wireless Access Point 7220

Performs traffic collection & distribution functions for traffic within the Community Area Network (CAN)

Incorporates routing and wireless transit functions

Incorporates security functions for validating connections to other Wireless APs

Incorporates security functions for controlling access by user devices

Incorporates low-cost advanced antenna designs for extended reach, simplified deployment, and reliability

Small size (10” tall x 7.5” diameter) for flexible placement

Uses 802.11a with proprietary extensions for inter-AP transmissions (Transit Link)

Uses 802.11b/g for user access (Access Link)

Radio Networking Technology

Wireless Gateway 7250

Advertises reachability (within Enterprise/ISP Distribution Network) for WLAN CAN subscribers

Hides WLAN CAN-specific mobility and security functions from the rest of the Enterprise/ISP Distribution and Backbone Networks

Provides data security for the mesh transit link

Typically supports about 50 AP 7220

Network Operation Support System

Centralized facility for monitoring and managing network operations and leverages a field proven end-to-end network management solution

Interface to distributed elements through industry-standard protocols (e.g. DHCP, FTP, SNMP, SNTP, RADIUS)

Discovery and visualization of Wireless AP 7220 and WG7250

Fault management

traps, faults, syslog

Real-time performance metrics

utilization, errors

interface metrics

Optivity NMS as portal

launch other Nortel element managers

Leverages off-the-shelf industry standard elements for the DHCP, FTP and RADIUS servers

Enables customers to future proof their infrastructure investment with integration to their existing back office

Proper authentication and authorization of users through NOSS ensures no theft of service or revenue losses by the service provider or enterprise

Minimize configuration required to enable fast, easy and cost-effective deployment and installation

Community Area Network
Topology

Mobility Network Architecture

Security – Subscriber Level

Security – Network Level

"University of Arkansas"

University of Arkansas

130 Buildings, 345 Acres in Ozark
Mountains

17K Students, 5K Faculty

Broadband capability

2x 50 Mbps Internet WAN links

Gigabit Ethernet campus core network

10/100 switched Ethernet to most desktops

10/100 switched "per pillow" residence hall network

Wireless "Hotspots"; general use, public safety, parking tickets

Wireless bridging for satellite offices

WMN Solution addresses key concerns such as:

scalability

reaching outdoor areas where wired infrastructure would not be feasible

trees and buildings creating radio "shadow" areas

ad hoc 802.11b/g SOHO access points - channel interference

bandwidth saturation

network management

Edith Cowan University
First Wireless Mesh Network in Australia

Australia's first wireless mesh network

Using wireless mesh and local area network (LAN) solutions from Nortel

Plans to deploy before the end of 2004

Edith Cowan University

Almost 23,000 students including 3,000 international enrollments

Second-largest university in Western Australia.

Metropolitan campuses in Churchlands, Mount Lawley and Joondalup and a regional campus in Bunbury

Delivering innovative Broadband capability

Providing staff and students seamless wireless access to University applications and resources

Extended reach: Provide coverage both inside and outside the campus buildings,

Scalability: Nortel’s Wireless Mesh Network solution enables Edith Cowan University to meet current and future bandwidth demands

Flexibility: Nortel’s Wireless Mesh Networks solution enables Edith Cowan to accommodate future technology such as converged voice, video and data communications.

Also, due to the University's geographical spread, it had to be hardy enough to service both metropolitan and rural environments.

Slide 19

Slide 20


	Madan Jagernauth
	Director, Business And Technology Strategy
	Wireless Mesh Network

	Vendor Soup 15 February 2005


	Introduction of Wireless Mesh Network concept
	Wireless Mesh Network deployment models
	Introduction to Nortel Networks Wireless Mesh Network solution
		Including some technical details (radio technology, community area networks, mobility, and security)
	Sample of current deployments
	Conclusion of Wireless Mesh Networks Discussion
	A view of WiMAX and how WiMAX and Wireless Mesh Networks could work together


	APs connected in star topology
	Each AP is connected directly to the wired network
	In public deployments, backhaul using leased narrowband (E1/T1, DSL) links
	Advantages
	Does not require separate power source
	Inexpensive and simple to deploy
	Challenges
	Deployment limited by Ethernet cable length (max 100m)
	In public, capacity limited by narrowband backhaul (E1/T1, DSL)


	Wireless Access Points connected in peer-to-peer topology
	Backhaul using wireless broadband links
	A few Network Access Points connected to broadband network at convenient locations
	Advantages
	Backhaul via broadband wireless links
		Does not require any cabling to APs
		Simplifies network design / deployment, reduces ongoing OPEX
	Employs wireless peer-to-peer devices for efficient routing, fault recovery
	Challenges
	Requires AC power at the AP


Wireless AP 7220
	Indoor/outdoor Access Point
	802.11b/g access link
	802.11a transit link with smart antennas
	Self-configuring, self-healing mesh formation
	Mobility client proxy for seamless subscriber mobility within the Community Area Network

Wireless Gateway 7250
	Enterprise class router
	Advertises reachability (within Enterprise/ISP Distribution Network) for WLAN Community Area Network subscribers
	Provides WLAN CAN-specific mobility anchor point
	Provides data security for the mesh transit link

Network Management
	APs and Gateway support SNMP network management interfaces
	Currently integrated with Nortel’s Optivity NMS:
		Centralized facility for monitoring and managing network operations, leveraging a field proven end-to-end network mgmt solution
		Discovery & visualization of WG 7250 & AP 7220
		Fault management – traps, faults, system log
		Real-time performance metrics – utilization, errors, interface metrics


	Performs traffic collection & distribution functions for traffic within the Community Area Network (CAN)
	Incorporates routing and wireless transit functions
	Incorporates security functions for validating connections to other Wireless APs
	Incorporates security functions for controlling access by user devices
	Incorporates low-cost advanced antenna designs for extended reach, simplified deployment, and reliability
	Small size (10” tall x 7.5” diameter) for flexible placement
	Uses 802.11a with proprietary extensions for inter-AP transmissions (Transit Link)
	Uses 802.11b/g for user access (Access Link)


	Advertises reachability (within Enterprise/ISP Distribution Network) for WLAN CAN subscribers
	Hides WLAN CAN-specific mobility and security functions from the rest of the Enterprise/ISP Distribution and Backbone Networks
	Provides data security for the mesh transit link
	Typically supports about 50 AP 7220


Centralized facility for monitoring and managing network operations and leverages a field proven end-to-end network management solution
	Interface to distributed elements through industry-standard protocols (e.g. DHCP, FTP, SNMP, SNTP, RADIUS)
	Discovery and visualization of Wireless AP 7220 and WG7250
	Fault management
		traps, faults, syslog
	Real-time performance metrics
		utilization, errors
		interface metrics
	Optivity NMS as portal
		launch other Nortel element managers
Leverages off-the-shelf industry standard elements for the DHCP, FTP and RADIUS servers
	Enables customers to future proof their infrastructure investment with integration to their existing back office
Proper authentication and authorization of users through NOSS ensures no theft of service or revenue losses by the service provider or enterprise
Minimize configuration required to enable fast, easy and cost-effective deployment and installation


	University of Arkansas
		130 Buildings, 345 Acres in Ozark Mountains
		17K Students, 5K Faculty
	Broadband capability
		2x 50 Mbps Internet WAN links
		Gigabit Ethernet campus core network
		10/100 switched Ethernet to most desktops
		10/100 switched "per pillow" residence hall network
		Wireless "Hotspots"; general use, public safety, parking tickets
		Wireless bridging for satellite offices
	WMN Solution addresses key concerns such as:
		scalability
		reaching outdoor areas where wired infrastructure would not be feasible
		trees and buildings creating radio "shadow" areas
		ad hoc 802.11b/g SOHO access points - channel interference
		bandwidth saturation
		network management


Australia's first wireless mesh network
	Using wireless mesh and local area network (LAN) solutions from Nortel
	Plans to deploy before the end of 2004

Edith Cowan University
	Almost 23,000 students including 3,000 international enrollments
	Second-largest university in Western Australia.
	Metropolitan campuses in Churchlands, Mount Lawley and Joondalup and a regional campus in Bunbury

Delivering innovative Broadband capability
	Providing staff and students seamless wireless access to University applications and resources
	Extended reach: Provide coverage both inside and outside the campus buildings,
	Scalability: Nortel’s Wireless Mesh Network solution enables Edith Cowan University to meet current and future bandwidth demands
	Flexibility: Nortel’s Wireless Mesh Networks solution enables Edith Cowan to accommodate future technology such as converged voice, video and data communications.
		Also, due to the University's geographical spread, it had to be hardy enough to service both metropolitan and rural environments.