Meru Networks AP110 Deployment Manual page 19

Figure 8: Different Mesh Nodes
Requires
Wireless
Backhaul
Access AP No
Gateway AP No
Mesh AP Yes
Leaf AP Yes
In a mesh network, nodes have a parent/child relationship. How a node is identified depends
on the relative position of the nodes in a mesh tree. For any two nodes with a mesh
connection, the node closest to the gateway is the parent, and the other node is the child.
An uplink is the wireless connection to the parent AP (from the perspective of a mesh node). A
downlink is the wireless connection (or set of connections) toward child mesh APs/nodes (from
the perspective of a mesh node).
Characteristics of a Wireless Backhaul Connection
Nodes using a wireless backhaul connection can connect to the controller only using Layer 3.
One controller can support multiple gateway nodes.
An uplink connection is always established using the highest numbered radio (radio1) on the
AP. The downlink connection can be offered on any radio. The radio being used to provide
wireless backhaul can also be used to provide service/access to clients. A node can provide
downlink service on the same or different radio than the one being used to provide uplink
service. For the AP110 and AP1014, client access and backhaul share the radio.
Provides
Wireless
Backhaul
No
Yes
Yes
No
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