Advantage and Disadvantage of Mesh Topology

Prerequisite – Types of Network Topology

Mesh Topology :

In mesh, all the computers are interconnected to every other during a network. Each computer not only sends its own signals but also relays data from other computers. The nodes are connected to every other completely via a dedicated link during which information is travel from nodes to nodes and there are N(N-1)/2 links in mesh if there are N nodes. Every node features a point-to-point connection to the opposite node. The connections within the mesh are often wired or wireless.

There are two types of Mesh topologies –

1. Fully-connected Mesh Topology
2. Partially-connected Mesh Topology

1. Full Mesh Topology :

All the nodes within the network are connected with every other If there are n number of nodes during a network, each node will have an n-1 number of connections. A full mesh provides an excellent deal of redundancy, but because it is prohibitively expensive to implement, it’s usually reserved for network backbones.

Total number of links required for the mesh topology is [n(n-1)]/2.

2. Partial Mesh Topology :

The partial mesh is more practical as compared to the full mesh. In a partially connected mesh, all the nodes aren’t necessary to be connected with one another during a network. Peripheral networks are connected using partial mesh and work with a full-mesh backbone in tandem.

Advantages of Mesh Topology :

• Failure during a single device won’t break the network.
• There is no traffic problem as there is a dedicated point to point links for every computer.
• Fault identification is straightforward.
• This topology provides multiple paths to succeed in the destination and tons of redundancy.
• It provides high privacy and security.
• Data transmission is more consistent because failure doesn’t disrupt its processes.
• Adding new devices won’t disrupt data transmissions.
• This topology has robust features to beat any situation.
• A mesh doesn’t have a centralized authority.

Disadvantages of Mesh Topology :

• It’s costly as compared to the opposite network topologies i.e. star, bus, point to point topology.
• Installation is extremely difficult in the mesh.
• Power requirement is higher as all the nodes will need to remain active all the time and share the load.
• Complex process.
• The cost to implement mesh is above other selections.
• There is a high risk of redundant connections.
• Each node requires a further utility cost to think about.
• Maintenance needs are challenging with a mesh.