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Mesh Enabled Architecture
EWR/PWR Users Guide
3.3
Device Addressing Schemes
The concept of unified modes of operation centers on the current state of network
communication: Associated State and Unassociated State. There are three addressing
schemes which allow the network manager increased flexibility in deployment: Network DHCP,
Statically Provisioned, and User Supplied.
Any of these schemes may be assigned per device, either by the user or by the network
manager. The network manager can also limit the user-selectable schemes or force a specific
scheme. Devices in each of these schemes can interoperate and communicate with each other,
so long as the assigned addresses do not conflict and are mutually routable.
3.3.1 Network DHCP Scheme
Network DHCP requires that an EWR/PWR device be configured to request an address from a
DHCP server and the inclusion of a DHCP server in the core network configuration to answer
these requests. With Network DHCP selected, the EWR/PWR will send DHCP requests for its
own address to the core network once it becomes associated and establishes communications
with the infrastructure. Operation under the Network DHCP scheme allows users to temporarily
wander outside of the network infrastructure without losing connectivity.
The server may be configured by the operator to hand out temporary or static leases. The
EWR/PWR must associate and acquire an address from the network before establishing
communications. Once a lease has been granted, the address will be valid out of network
coverage for the remainder of the lease or, if a static lease was granted, until the next power
cycle. If the lease expires or the user cycles power while outside of network coverage, the user
will again lose the ability to communicate with the wireless network.
This scheme is best for a larger, closely managed network of subscribers who don't need to
communicate or communicate only briefly outside of network coverage.
3.3.2 Statically Provisioned Scheme
Under the Statically Provisioned scheme addresses are hashed from the MAC address by
default. This serves to eliminate the 10.x.x.x limitation on the network range.
When operating under the Statically Provisioned scheme, the EWR/PWR device will use
provisioned DHCP-like information to establish an IP address for use in the wireless network.
This scheme does not require a DHCP server on the core network.
It should be noted that a DHCP server can still exist on the network to hand out addresses to
other nodes using the Network DHCP Scheme as long as the server's address range does not
conflict with addresses assigned to devices using the Statically Provisioned or User Supplied
Schemes.
The IP addresses and options used are configurable per-device using MeshManager. The
provisioned address may be freely used to communicate while associated or unassociated.
The operator must ensure that the provisioned addresses are routable and do not conflict with
any other addresses in use. The operator is free to provision any option ordinarily provisioned
by a DHCP server (subnet mask, DNS, etc.) through programming of the appropriate fields in
each device using MeshManager.
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