Mesh Network System with 802.11a/b/g/n Wireless

"Mesh" as a technology has been around for some time primarly being used by the military and large scale commercial applications. Mesh networks work for any type of radio signal, and allow different types of devices to piggyback off each other as nodes in a network, each node spreading the radio signal a little further than the last.

Wi-Fi mesh networking is relatively a new introduction in the consumer and small medium business space. The BR-400AN is a 802.11 a/b/g/n mesh network system that allows the user to easily construct a wireless LAN in a place where there is no network.

Mesh Target Applications

• Small Medium Businesses: Mesh Infrastructures in new office buildings, hotels, hospitals, and other structures can yield huge energy savings. The wiring to do this is too expensive to be practical, but with mesh networks, it becomes simple.
• Education: Many colleges, universities and high schools are converting their entire campuses to wireless mesh networks. This solution eliminates the need to bury cables in old buildings and across campuses. With dozens of well-placed nodes, everyone can be be connected all the time.
• Healthcare: Many hospitals are spread out through clusters of densely constructed buildings. A mesh network can help setup a reliable network and expand network coverage. The ability to connect to the network is crucial as more doctors and caregivers maintain and update patient information -- test results, medical history, even insurance information.

• Temporary Venues: Remote sites can capitalize on the easy set-up and removal of wireless mesh networks. Temporary venues like street fairs, concerts and political rallies can set-up and tear down wireless mesh networks in minutes.

• Warehouses: There is simply no effective way to keep track of stock and shipping logistics without the types of Ethernet-enabled handheld scanners used in modern warehouses. Wireless mesh networks can ensure connectivity throughout a huge warehouse structure with little effort.

Learn more: Visit BR-400AN to learn more on the functions and features of the Silex's latest Wi-Fi Mesh Bridge. 

Two Operating Modes of Silex Mesh

BR-400AN's can be used to create a mesh network with up to 32 nodes. One of the unique feature of the BR-400AN is that it has the ability to operate in the following two modes. 

Peer to Peer:

BR-400AN can be configured as Mesh Points (MP) which enables multiple BR-400AN's connected together with each other to create a peer to peer mesh network. In this use case, the device can either act as a node in your mesh network to expand the coverage, or it can also be used simultaneously as a bridge to connect your wired printer to your mesh network. If it is being used as a bridge, you can connect up to 8 LAN devices (using a hub) to your mesh network. 

Infrastructure Mode:

BR-400AN can also be used as an access point in your mesh network. By configuring the "Mesh Access Point" mode, it enables client devices e.g tablets, to find and connect to the BR-400AN configured as an AP. This enables users to upgrade or setup their office/home network infrastructure to use mesh technology for a more robust and reliable network.  

Learn more: Download the BR-400AN User Manual to learn on all the features for the mesh bridge. 

Enterprise Level Security For Your Network

Enterprise level security is not just for large enterprises anymore. As more and more devices are connected to the Wi-FI network, the  need for wireless security in almost every industry is at an unprecedented high.

Silex's Wi-FI Mesh Bridge offers your business a financial and operational benefit by enterprise level security to provide protection to your systems and data. This level of added security can be used in both infrastructure and peer to peer modes.

BR-400AN Wireless Security

BR-400AN provides enterprise-level security and device filter
functions for business use.

• IEEE 802.11X authentication
• Access point SSID stealth support
• MAC address filtering function
• AES encryption

Download our technical paper to learn more on enterprise security in Silex products. 

Easily Configure, Control and Monitor Devices in your Network

AMC Manager® is a total device management software to configure, control and monitor monitor Silex products. This software allows remote monitoring of Silex wireless products including RSSI value, noise level, number of DFS channels being used, and more that can help maintain a healthy wireless environment. It also enables users to easily configure, manage, and monitor Silex products connected to a wired or wireless network remotely including status monitoring, configuration changes, firmware update, and device rebooting. Benefits include:

• No need to install a controller, saves cost
• Management and bulk configuration
• One tool to manage all your Silex devices

AMC Manager Software

Mesh Monitor

Mesh Monitor is an optional plug-in software for the AMC Manager. This tool allows users to visualize BR-400AN mesh network. This tool aids the user with setup and operation management. User can map their mesh devices and check communication path, connection link status between terminals, radio field strength at a glance.

• Visual representation of the mesh network
• Mesh configuration and control
• Mesh route information and troubleshooting

Mesh Monitor Software