Firechat / Wireless mesh networks

Soldato
Joined
6 May 2009
Posts
20,361
Due to the recent protects in Hong Kong I decided to research Firechat and subsequently how Wireless Mesh Networks work.

The only thing I remembered about mesh network was that it was a type of topology I learned many moons ago at college (along with bus, star, ring and token from memory)

Anyway, I got reading http://computer.howstuffworks.com/how-wireless-mesh-networks-work.htm and it looks like a mesh network uses nodes in wireless radio frequencies that are also used in wireless devices (like phones)

Just a couple of questions

1. If Wifi is switched off on mobile device, how does the 802.11a/ b/ g still stay working? Is it just radio signal parts of the wifi that stay on, but actual wifi searching/connecting is turned off

2.
In a wireless mesh network, only one node needs to be physically wired to a network connection like a DSL Internet modem

If no nodes are connected to the internet, I take it that the network still works but nothing will be updated with any outside data. I.e a Firechat 'nearby' group can chat to all nearby nodes but that's it - no communications from anywhere else?
 
yea that sounds about right. it can use bluetooth as well.
I can kind of see the point but you will need a large amount of people connected over a large area to really take advantage. otherwise just stand in a group and talk
 
Yep, tested at work and it uses bluetooth. (not some magical communication method i originally thought!)

It doesnt say anything about the app using bluetooth in the description but as soon as you turn it off you can no longer talk to people nearby
 
Back
Top Bottom