What is Wifi Mesh networking

Its just 2017 and the blog is facing any onslaught of the technology obsolesce life-cycle already. Wifi Mesh networking is emerging technology for Home networking gaining traction:

http://in.pcmag.com/eero/111441/guide/the-best-wi-fi-mesh-network-systems-of-2017

http://bgr.com/2017/02/14/best-mesh-wifi-system-2017-mesh-network-router/

It is similar (in consumer view) to a our multiple AP architecture (or even a traditional one router multiple range extender architecture), except that the APs use wireless links for Backhaul as illustrated below:

The advantages are pretty obvious. Being wireless, its drop dead easy to retrofit into existing homes where no wired networking cabling is done (just need power socket not data port). Plus the units gel well with home decor, Secondly multiple paths facilitating load balancing and redundant path for data. And thirdly their is an integration of Smart Home technologies (Zigbeee, Zwave, etc) and Consumer Wifi mesh kits which opens the Wifi Router/AP OEMs to Internet of Things (IoT) domain.

For large home, mesh networking Wifi performance sits between 

(a) Multiple-AP/Router with wired LAN backhaul

(b) Single router or Single router - Multiple Range extender

architectures. 

Eero, Luma, Orbi, Ubiquiti, Google Wifi, Plume are major mesh Wifi networking gear manufacturers who are getting a lot of attention from consumers worldwide.

- Suman Kumar Luthra @ APRC-P3 Telecom Sub-committee