Overview
Mesh topology is designed for maximum redundancy. In a Full Mesh, every node is connected to every other node. In a Partial Mesh, only some nodes have multiple connections.
Advantages
- High Reliability: No single point of failure; data can always find an alternate path.
- Performance: Multiple paths can be used simultaneously to increase throughput.
Disadvantages
- Cost: Requires a massive amount of cabling and many ports on each device.
- Complexity: Difficult to configure and manage as the network grows.
Modern Use
While rare in physical LANs, mesh topology is common in the core of the internet (BGP) and in wireless mesh networks.