[WLANware] Selling the idea of OLSR

[Dan Flett]

Hi guys,

I am giving a presentation to my wireless group, Melbourne Wireless, this
Friday on OLSR.  We currently use OSPF and a traditional routed network
where each node has multiple radios, each with a separate /28 subnet.  Most
of our links are point-to-point or point-to-multipoint (client-to-AP).  A
lot of people are very sceptical of the idea of using a /16 netmask on an
interface and of using Omni-to-Omni links.

Here are some of the criticisms I'll need to address:

* Mesh networks are not scalable - they cause too much CPU load on small
routers.

* Omni antennas pick up too much RF noise for usable links

* Omni-to-Omni links have limited range and the population density in
Melbourne is not sufficient for a critical mass to form a useful mesh

* A network where everyone is using a /16 netmask will be like a giant LAN
and everyone will be swamped with everyone else's broadcast traffic

* Using OLSR on every node is like trying to create a city-wide network with
WDS

I think I have answers for most of these questions, but I'd like to get some
ideas from the wider OLSR community.  I'm sure many of you have faced
similar criticisms, and may have some experience behind you to refute these
claims.  If so, I'd love to hear from you!
 

Regards,

Dan Flett
Secretary
Melbourne Wireless