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General
Questions
Q. What is a RapidLink mesh system?
A. RapidLink is an advanced, ad hoc, wireless
mesh networking technology that can be instantly deployed, is
self-configuring and self-healing. RapidLink uses open standards-based
mesh architecture to create reliable, secure, high performance
wireless data networks that can be sized, customized and configured
to meet the specifications of each individual project.
Q. What are the benefits of using
a wireless mesh networking system?
A. A wireless mesh network provides a secure
information grid for use virtually anywhere. Users can transmit
data instantly, intelligently, and securely over a highly redundant
wireless network consisting of autonomous routers or nodes. The
network can be deployed on land or sea, in rural or urban environments,
to and from fixed or temporary sites, and even in remote or inhospitable
terrain.
Q. What advantages do RapidLink
systems have over other networking systems?
A. RapidLink systems are economical and easy
to deploy because wireless mesh architecture eliminates the need
for fixed infrastructure, typically the most costly and time consuming
part of a communications network. In addition, RapidLink systems
are self-configuring and self-healing so they can be instantly
deployed and remotely monitored and maintained. RapidLink does
not have a pre-defined box but can be configured, modified or
expanded on an ad hoc basis. RapidLink products provide secure
data transmittal and are highly resistant to failure.
Q. How does a mesh network work?
A. Each node in a mesh network is a wireless router that
connects to every other node in the system by forwarding data
to neighboring nodes until the data reaches its final destination.
This wireless peer-to-peer forwarding of data eliminates the need
for wired networking infrastructure, greatly reducing the cost
and time to deploy a network.
Q. What is a RapidLink router?
A. A router (also called a node, station or pod) is a
device that forwards data to its neighbors in a mesh network.
RapidLink routers transmit data instantly, intelligently, and
securely over the wireless network consisting of any number of
autonomous nodes that, together, make up the data system.
Q. Is a RapidLink mesh network secure?
Can it be hacked or sabotaged?
A. RapidLink networks are secured by AES and Triple DES,
both of which meet the security requirements of the most demanding
applications of governmental, law enforcement, health, security
and financial market users. Triple
DES, which is a variation of the Data Encryption
Standard (DES) developed by IBM and subsequently adopted as a
national standard, has proven reliability and is widely used because
it is easy to modify existing software to use it. Concentris’
implementation of AES and Triple DES encryption has been validated
by FIPS 140-2.
Q. How safe are the nodes in a RapidLink
system? Can they be tampered with, damaged, or destroyed?
A. RapidLink nodes are sturdy, rugged, and durable.
They are designed to operate in severe outdoor environments so
that, once deployed, the system is virtually indestructible.
Q. How does a RapidLink system configure
itself and heal itself?
A.
The distributed and redundant nature of peer-to-peer mesh
architecture eliminates single points of failure in the system.
The RapidLink network continuously monitors for changing network
topology and disruptions, and seamlessly determines the optimal
wireless pathways for data. If a path is no longer available,
it takes the next best alternative route.
Q. What are some likely uses for
a RapidLink system?
A. RapidLink networks
are ideal for situations where conventional networking techniques
are impractical or cost prohibitive, including difficult, critical
or ad hoc applications such as first-response
disaster and rescue missions, homeland security applications,
law enforcement, mobile field offices, fleet and convoy communications,
and facility surveillance networks.
Questions
about integrating a RapidLink system with other platforms
Q. How does the RapidLink system
interface with existing software on a wired network?
A. RapidLink is an IP network based transport system.
Any software system that operates over a standard Ethernet/IP
network can interface with the RapidLink family of products with
no special interface adaptor or other special equipment.
Q. How does a peripheral device, like a
printer or a PDA, interface with the RapidLink network?
A. Simply connect them to a node via an access point
or the Ethernet port.
Q How many access points can be
linked to one radio?
A. Up to 250 access
points can be linked to a single RapidLink node if a switch is
attached to its Ethernet port. However the total data capacity
of all the access points must be less than the capacity of the
single RapidLink node. Concentris offers a node that has an integrated
access point.
Q. Does a RapidLink mesh network
support a billing system for e-commerce?
A. Yes. Many companies
provide billing, authorization, authentication and other e-commerce
systems that are compatible with the RapidLink technology. LOK
Technologies, maker of AirLOK systems, is one such
company.
Networking Security
Questions
Q. How do you ensure privacy on
the LAN using a RapidLink system?
A. Most Internet
sites are encrypted to prevent unauthorized inspection of traffic.
Additionally, Concentris tunnels traffic securely across the mesh
using SSL, AES, and Triple
DES.
Q. Does a RapidLink network require
anti-virus immunization? Why or why not?
A. No. Antivirus is handled by the operating system of
the host PC, not the network.
Questions about Technical
Specifications
Q.
What are the benefits of the OLSR protocol?
A. Optimized Link
State routing (OLSR) protocol is
an open protocol that is widely used and is being actively extended
by a community of users. OLSR is a table-driven pro-active approach
to mobile ad hoc network (MANET) routing that delivers real-time
understanding of the network topology. OLSR operates by updating
and maintaining information in tables. As its name suggests, OLSR
optimizes the link-state scheme to diffuse topology information.
In a classic link-state algorithm, link-state information floods
throughout the network. OLSR modifies this approach to run in
wireless multi-hop scenarios so routing updates are optimized
to preserve bandwidth. The optimization is based on a technique
called multi-point relaying that creates a multi-level hierarchy
that decreases routing update overhead and enhances scalability
to large numbers of nodes.
Q. What is the data rate for RapidLink
nodes?
A.The data rate is
about 10 milliseconds per jump. Streaming video, at about 500
milliseconds, does not have noticeable latency.
Q. What is the throughput for a
RapidLink network? What are the variables?
A. Throughput averages about 10-15 Mbps depending
on the number of nodes in the system and the distance between
them. As more nodes are added to a system, the data rate gets
higher (slower); as the distance between nodes increases, the
data rate also increases.
Q. It appears that in a chain topology
where a single node sends information to a node at the end of
the chain, the throughput approaches 1/7th of the maximum data
rate. So for a 54 Mbps 802.11g, you would expect about 7.7 Mbps
throughput to the last node. Is this actually the case?
A. Yes, the denser
the mesh becomes, the more congestion there is and bandwidth may
suffer as a result.
Q. Why did Concentris choose to
operate in the 5.4 Ghz frequency vs. the 2.4 Ghz frequency?
A. RapidLink products
can operate in either band. Concentris’ standard configuration
is in the 5.4 Ghz frequency because it is less crowded, there
is less interference, and the channels are spaced better in this
band. However, if an implementation calls for a RapidLink system
to operate in the 2.4 Ghz frequency, this can be easily accommodated.
Questions
about Applications
Q. In a location where high electric
voltage is passing through the property, will this affect the
wireless equipment / signal?
A.
No. However it is advisable to keep nodes about 15 feet
away from the electrical line.
Q. If several locations have Concentris
mesh networks, can these be linked over a leased line connection?
A. Yes. RapidLink
systems can be expanded, extended and reconfigured. The RapidLink
network automatically locates and assimilates new stations, proactively
configures the network, and provides seamless coverage. The station
nodes operate unattended, begin forwarding data instantly, and
may be positioned or dropped virtually anywhere.
Q. Does Concentris have any plans
to operate in the public safety band? If so, when will these devices
be available?
A. If a project calls
for RapidLink products that operate in a different frequency,
RapidLink accommodates the need. However, RapidLink’s standard
models are all in the 802.11 frequency range.
Power
Supply Questions
Q. Are RapidLink products self-powered
or do they require an external battery source?
A. RapidLink nodes
may be either externally powered, with lithium ion batteries or
via an AC or Ethernet connection, or self-powered with a solar
panel.
Q. For non-solar powered nodes,
what type of battery is used? What is the battery current draw?
Supply voltage?
A.CSL is considering
Ni-Cad or Ni-MH batteries as they have good capacity and are lightweight,
albeit a bit more expensive. The battery draw is about 500ma.
The life span of each charge is a function of the size of battery.
Supply voltage is generally between 8 and 30v dc.
Questions
about Concentris Systems
Q. Where are RapidLink networks
in use currently?
A. Concentris References:
GTSI (large government reseller),
REMAS.gov (US Dept of Defense communications contractor). Systems
that have used either CSL technology or that of our previous companies:
Maui International Airport, Los Gatos Toll House Hotel, Outrigger
Hotels, Starwood Hotels.
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