Interworking wireless mesh networks: Problems, performance characterization, and perspectives
Resource
Journal of Parallel and Distributed Computing 68 (3): 348-360
Journal
Journal of Parallel and Distributed Computing
Journal Volume
68
Journal Issue
3
Pages
348-360
Date Issued
2008-03
Date
2008
Author(s)
Wu, Tsai-Wei
Abstract
Wireless broadband networks based on the IEEE 802.11 technology are being increasingly deployed as mesh networks to provide users with extended coverage for wireless Internet access. These wireless mesh networks, however, may be deployed by different authorities without any coordination a priori, and hence it is possible that they overlap partially or even entirely in service area, resulting in contention of radio resources among them. In this paper, we investigate the artifacts that result from the uncoordinated deployment of wireless mesh networks. We use a network optimization approach to model the problem as resource sharing among nodes belonging to one or different networks. Based on the proposed LP formulation, we then conduct simulations to characterize the performance of overlaying wireless mesh networks, with the goal to provide perspectives for addressing the problems. We find that in a system with multiple overlaying wireless mesh networks, if no form of inter-domain coordination is present, individual mesh networks could suffer from capacity degradation due to increased network contention. One solution toward addressing the performance degradation is to "interwork" these wireless mesh networks by allowing inter-domain traffic relay through provisioning of "bridge" nodes. However, if such bridge nodes are chosen arbitrarily, the problems of throughput sub-optimality and unfairness may arise. We profile the impact of bridge node selection and show the importance in controlling network unfairness for wireless mesh network interworking. We conclude that mesh network interworking is a promising direction to address the artifacts due to uncoordinated deployment of wireless mesh networks if it is supplemented with appropriate mechanisms. © 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Subjects
Capacity characterization; IEEE 802.11a/b/g; Interworking; Linear programming; Mesh network bridging
Type
journal article
File(s)![Thumbnail Image]()
Loading...
Name
02.pdf
Size
437.57 KB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum
(MD5):601618b028b96c61241f6f09ef93a024