User's Manual
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The wireless bridge is defined as “transparent” because its activity is transparent to the network hosts.
In other words, the wireless bridge forwards packets from one network segment to the other according
to a “forwarding table” which is built by learning the network topology from the analysis of the
incoming traffic. In this configuration, no explicit interaction between the wireless bridge and the
network hosts takes place. The two network segments, connected to both sides of the wireless
bridge, will share the same IP addressing class. Thus, each network host must use a unique IP address,
i.e., it is not allowed to have two devices sharing the same IP address.
4.2 Mesh Network Architecture
This section describes the Fluidmesh mesh networking architecture and the basic functionalities of the
FM4500 series. For the sake of clarity, we will refer to a generic FM unit whenever the discussion
applies to the FM4500.
Fluidmesh Networks develops wireless networking solutions based on the innovative mesh networking
architecture which presents unmatched advantages in terms of reliability and flexibility compared to
any traditional wireless solution. Using Fluidmesh technology for your network allows you to take
advantage of this powerful architecture. An example of wireless mesh network is shown in Fig. 4.3.
In a wireless mesh network, every FM unit transmits the data packets coming from the devices directly
attached to it and also acts as an “intelligent router” able to forward packets coming from other FM
units through the optimal path.
In a redundant and reliable mesh network, every stream of data packets has multiple available paths
to reach the base station, and the network forwards the packets through the optimal path at any
point in time. The absence of any single point of failure increases its reliability compared to any
other transmission technology, either wireless or wired.
Fig. 4.3 - Fluidmesh Mesh Networking Architecture
4.3 Point-to-Multipoint Architecture: FluidMAX™
Developing FluidMAX
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, Fluidmesh embraced the Point-to-Multipoint architecture (see Fig. 4.4)
improving its features and capabilities to meet the needs of system integrators in the security and
industrial automation industry. The FluidMAX technology is based on a centralized Medium Access
Control (MAC) protocol and allows Fluidmesh customers to create point-to-multipoint networks using
the FM units.
With the FluidMAX technology, an FM unit can thus be used at the center of the star topology in a
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Patent pending.