Mesh Point Configuration

About this task

Mesh networking provides users wireless access to broadband applications anywhere, including a moving vehicle. Initially developed for secure and reliable military battlefield communications, mesh technology supports public safety, public access, and public works. Mesh technology reduces the expense of wide-scale networks, by leveraging Wi-Fi enabled devices already deployed.

Mesh points are access points dedicated to mesh network support. Mesh points capture and disseminate their own data and serve as a relay for other nodes.

Procedure

  1. Select Profiles.
  2. Select an existing target profile.
    The general menu opens.
  3. Select Mesh Point.
    The mesh connex policy configuration associated with the profile opens.
  4. Review existing mesh point configurations to determine whether a new configuration needs to be created or an existing configuration needs to be modified.
    Mesh Point Connex Policy Lists the administrator assigned name for the MeshConnex Policy, defined upon its creation. The name cannot be edited later with other parameters
    Is Root Displays whether the mesh point is the root node in the mesh network or not. True defines the mesh point as a root, False indicates that the mesh point is not a root, and None means the mesh point root has not been assigned yet
    Preferred Root Lists the MAC address of a preferred root device
    Root Selection Method Displays the method used for selecting a root node. Options inclue:
    • auto-mint
    • auto-proximity
    Preferred Neighbor Lists the MAC address of the preferred neighbor within the mesh point's mesh topology
    Preferred Interface Displays either 2.4 GHz, 4.9 GHz, or 5 GHz as the preferred band of operation for the mesh point
    Monitor Critical Resources When activated, you allow the dynamic conversion of a mesh point from root to non-root when there is a critical resource failure. This option is not selected by default
    Monitor Primary Port Link When activated, you allow the dynamic conversion of a mesh point from root to non-root during a link down event. This option is not selected by default
    Path Method Lists the root path selection method used in the mesh network. Available options include:
    • None - Indicates no criteria used in root path selection
    • uniform - The path selection method is uniform (two paths are considered equivalent if the average value is the same for these paths)
    • mobile-snr-leaf - The access point is mounted on a vehicle or a mobile platform. The path to the route is selected based on the Signal To Noise Ratio (SNR) with the neighbor device
    • snr-leaf - The path with the best signal to noise ratio is always selected
    • bound-pair - Binds one mesh point connection at a time. Once established, other mesh point connection requests are denied
  5. If there is no existing mesh point connex policy configuration, select to create a new policy.
    The Add dashboard opens.
  6. Select a policy from the drop-down list box.
  7. Select Add to include a new policy.
  8. Select Save to include the policy to an existing profile.

What to do next

Configure mesh point device basic settings and auto channel selection.
9037026-03 Rev AA