Until now we have only been talking about the IP address that will be used within the network for connecting clients, nodes and the different wireless groups. We have also talked about the routing between these different components, but only in as much as the protocols which will be used and not the way in which the different nodes should be connected.
The interconnection of the nodes in a network consisting of more than five nodes can be achieved in a variety of ways. The moment that the number of nodes increases, the number of different ways of connecting the nodes rises exponentially. Nevertheless for obvious reasons it is best not to build a network from a random structure.
Normally when a network is designed the expected traffic and number of hosts connected is studied, the needs of the users and various other things so that a structure can be devised which can give the best possible service to the clients. Wireless networks which grow in an uncontrolled way will require a special design or a continual adjustment to the structure to ensure that the services offered can be done so effectively.
The following points are those which should be taken into account when we design a network:
Avoid congestion in a single point in the network.
Reduce the number of hops between one host and another where possible.
Try and ensure that multiple links to other nodes in the network exist from one node. If one node fails the other link can be used, and if we are using dynamic routing this change will be immediate and transparent to the users.
Use tools which can monitor the network and prevent future problems.
Separate client traffic, from traffic between nodes.
Avoid as much as possible manual configuration and use standard configurations for each of the different installed components.
Use links between nodes with the highest possible bandwidth (where possible by radio).
Maintain good communications with the nodes' administrators. Normally the people who maintain a company network manage the whole network: with a wireless network each administrator manages his own node so that communication between the different administrators is very important when solving problems which might occur.
It will be important during a network's initial stages of growth to discuss the addition of new nodes and the best place to connect them to, as the tools which could be used to monitor the various parts of the network.