Transit Node

From Pretoria Wireless Project

Overview

Transit nodes link 2 nodes to each other. Typically, transit nodes link leaf nodes or transit on one side, to backbone nodes or other transit nodes on the other side.

Typically, a backbone node needs to be a high site.

Explainantion

If the wifi network were compared to a tree, a single transit node, or a series of transit modes, would be a branch running from the trunk, with leaves ( leaf nodes) running from it.

These nodes may form chains linking remote nodes to the main network. As soon as other nodes connect to a transit node, they become backbone nodes.

Requirements

Transit nodes can be as simple to set up as leaf nodes, or as backbone nodes, depending on the situation.

For each connection to another node, it may need a seperate Antenna and wifi device for optimal thransmission speed, but leaf nodes can connect to the same antenna as that used to communicate to other transit nodes, or to backbone nodes. Doing so will however decrease signal quality and transmission speed to the larger nodes.

In order to route the traffic correctly, routing software is required. The better quality routers have the required abilities to do this.

The signal quality and strength requirements are quite important, but not as crucial as in backbone nodes. But while leaf nodes can function with moderate to poor signal quality, transit nodes need at least a moderate to good signal to fubction properly.

A transit node needs a good geographical position, in order to improve signal quality. Where possible, it needs line of site to other high traffic nodes, such as other backbone nodes, and transit nodes.

The antenna's provided with typical wifi equipment are not sufficient for the signal quality required by transit nodes for communicating with backbone and other transit nodes, and thus most of the connections to backbone and transit nodes will require specialised antenna's, as well as a mast to mount these antenna's correctly.

Depending on the speficic setup, transit nodes may be as complex to set up as backvbone nodes are. And if the transit node should connect to another node, and thus become a backbone node, some of the network gear may need to be upgraded.

In order to join the pwp network, you will have to contact existing members of the network, to learn what the required setting are t gain access to the pwp network's facilities.

Please be advised that members of pwp are expected to abide by the policies of the pwp network.