Rajant’s kinetic mesh networking solutions combine specialised command and control software with ruggedised, high-performance hardware. The wireless BreadCrumb nodes include intelligent routing capabilities and flexible configuration options, while a redundant, peer-to-peer network design ensures no single point of failure. Even when an entire network is in motion, Rajant ensures consistent and effective communications at all times.
These autonomous networks are completely portable and can easily support roving nodes and sensors over areas of hundreds of square miles or more. The Rajant BreadCrumb wireless LAN device can extend communications reach into completely new territories. Even where no infrastructure previously existed, customers can deploy BreadCrumb hardware quickly and easily to create a robust and resilient wireless mesh network.
Configuration control
Rajant BreadCrumb networks are easy to deploy and require minimal maintenance and administration. Because users of highly mobile networks typically do not have the time and resources to set up and repeatedly reconfigure settings, the system offers one button operation.
Users also have the option to exercise more administrative control over a network if desired. BreadCrumb networks include BC|Commander software for ongoing operational management. Intuitively designed, BC|Commander offers standard network control options, as well as many advanced features through a GUI interface.
BreadCrumb networks are highly robust
Many mesh networks rely on a single node to collect and disseminate routing information, which creates a hierarchy in the communications transmission process. Through the use of InstaMesh, however, Rajant creates a true peer-to-peer network.
Each and every node is independent with full routing capability and no dedicated backhaul.
In kinetic mesh networks, there is also redundancy on single and multiple frequencies. In a capability that is unique, BreadCrumb devices actively use multiple radios to perform multiple functions at the same time. Each network node proactively scans the environment and takes corrective action – switching radio channel or frequency – the moment it senses an interference or obstruction. Each radio in a BreadCrumb node can have multiple persistent connections, enabling hundreds of connections on a single node.
Finally, Rajant’s proprietary Automatic Protocol Tunneling (APT) technology allows for multiple ingress and egress points into the wired network – eliminating once again the possibility of a single point of failure.
Networks scale easily to hundreds of high-bandwidth nodes
In addition to flexibility and reliability, Rajant solutions offer customers the ability to scale wireless networks as demand and distance requirements change. Greater network efficiencies – including lower administrative overhead and optimisations for managing high-bandwidth applications – help extend the power of Rajant networks and ensure customers stay connected even as demand on those networks increases.
Layer 2 vs. Layer 3
Rajant’s approach to wireless mesh networking differs from many other providers in that the kinetic mesh networking technology is based on a Layer 2 type system. While Layer 3 networks use IP addresses to track each client device, Layer 2 networks rely on Mac addresses. An IP address is assigned based on when and where a device joins a network, but a Mac address never changes. For mobility purposes, this makes a Layer 2 network far more efficient. Operators don’t have to reconfigure the network or worry about disruption every time a device is on the move.
A Layer 2 system also lets customers run as many IP sub-networks on top of a Rajant-deployed network as needed. Because these sub-networks are created based on IP number ranges, they are effectively transparent to a Rajant BreadCrumb. Customers can use any protocol on top of a Rajant network as well, from encrypted Ethernet packets, to IPv4 or IPv6, to non-IP protocols.
High-performance applications
The best test of a network is the performance of the applications that run on top of it. The concept of scalability goes beyond the geographic reach of a network, it also addresses how well a network can perform even as the usage of applications with heavy bandwidth requirements increases. For example, Voice over IP (VoIP) communications that rely on Wi-Fi connections draw a significant amount of bandwidth. Rajant has found that traditional VoIP architectures are particularly difficult and inefficient to manage in remote network environments for a variety of reasons. Because of this, and the fact that voice communications are often critical in remote and mobile operations, Rajant developed Tactical Radio over IP (TRoIP) to avoid shortcomings in standard VoIP protocols.
Video is an even more bandwidth-intensive application. While Rajant mesh networks can transmit video using any encoding, it also works with hand-selected partners to facilitate greater efficiency at the encoding and transport layers. Rajant video and voice efforts are examples of how it addresses the interplay between application and network operations to ensure the highest performance levels even as customer demands grow.
From mines to military and beyond, Rajant has proven the success of BreadCrumbs and kinetic mesh networking technology in mobile environments. A combination of real-world experience and continuous optimisation of the InstaMesh algorithm is delivering unparalleled performance in the most remote, rugged and dynamic regions on Earth. This includes some of the world’s largest mines, and military sites throughout Afghanistan. Where there’s a need for flexible, reliable and scalable networking – Rajant connects.
For more information contact SCAN RF Projects, +27 (0)12 665 5020, [email protected], www.scanrf.com
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