Rajant Corporation
03-100137-011
BreadCrumb® JR2 v11 User Guide
Version 11.4.0
10
1.2 The Mesh Network
The key component of a BreadCrumb Mesh network is the ability for BreadCrumbs to connect, or mesh
with each other. While this is generally handled automatically by BreadCrumbs, complex deployment
scenarios require a basic understanding of how BreadCrumbs establish and maintain a mesh.
1.2.1 Mesh – A Definition
A mesh is a collection of BreadCrumbs (or other network devices), each of which is linked to one or
more other BreadCrumbs. Data can move between BreadCrumbs via these links, possibly passing
through several intermediate BreadCrumbs before arriving at its final destination.
The intelligence of a BreadCrumb network is in how it adapts rapidly to the creation or destruction of
the links in the mesh as devices are moved, switched OFF or ON, blocked by obstructions, interfered
with by other devices, or otherwise affected. This adaptation takes place automatically and immediately
as needed.
1.2.2 BreadCrumb Mesh Connections
In order for two BreadCrumbs to establish a mesh link to each other, they must be set to the same radio
channel, and have the same Network ID. The Network ID is computed from the BreadCrumb's Network
Name, Network Key, and a collection of Crypto settings. The Network Name is simply a name for a
Mesh network. By default, BreadCrumbs use the Network Name "Rajant Mesh Network”. The
Network Key is a passphrase or key used to secure the network. The Crypto settings include a packet
cipher, MAC cipher, per-hop authentication, and a key sequence number. All of these settings on the
BreadCrumbs can be configured using BC|Commander v11. The Crypto settings can only be configured
if the application is logged into the BreadCrumbs using Crypto Officer credentials.
1.2.3 Compatibility with v10
It is possible to have a mesh with both v10 and v11 BreadCrumbs. This is useful while upgrading a
network from v10 to v11. The following settings must be configured on the v11 BreadCrumbs in order
to establish mesh links with v10 BreadCrumbs:
●
Access Point: Enable Access Point
must be checked, and
Access Point: ESSID
must match the
primary ESSID of the v10 BreadCrumb on at least one radio of the same frequency. Version 10
firmware uses the BreadCrumb's primary ESSID instead of the Network Name.
●
Security: Version 10 Network Authentication Key
and
Security: Version 10 Network Encryption
Key
must match the NAK and NEK of the v10 BreadCrumb. Both v10 and v11 have the same
default values.
●
InstaMesh: Enable v10 Compatibility
must be checked.
Note
Because the crypto settings between v10 and v11 are different, the v10 Compatibility
mode will only work if ALL crypto settings are disabled on both the v10 and v11
BreadCrumbs.