Forwarding roles
In a Thread network, nodes are split into two forwarding roles:
Router
A Router is a node that:
- forwards packets for network devices
- provides secure commissioning services for devices trying to join the network
- keeps its transceiver enabled at all times
End Device
An End Device (ED) is a node that:
- communicates primarily with a single Router
- does not forward packets for other network devices
- can disable its transceiver to reduce power
Device types
Furthermore, nodes comprise a number of types.
Full Thread Device
A Full Thread Device (FTD) always has its radio on, subscribes to theall-routers multicast address, and maintains IPv6 address mappings. There arethree types of FTDs:
- Router
- Router Eligible End Device (REED) — can be promoted to a Router
- Full End Device (FED) — cannot be promoted to a Router
An FTD can operate as a Router (Parent) or an End Device (Child).
Minimal Thread Device
A Minimal Thread Device does not subscribe to the all-routersmulticast address and forwards all messages to its Parent. There aretwo types of MTDs:
- Minimal End Device (MED) — transceiver always on, does not need to poll formessages from its parent
- Sleepy End Device (SED) — normally disabled, wakes on occasion to poll formessages from its parent
An MTD can only operate as an End Device (Child).
Upgrading and downgrading
When a REED is the only node in reach of a new End Device wishing to join theThread network, it can upgrade itself and operate as a Router:
Conversely, when a Router has no children, it can downgrade itself and operateas an End Device:
Other roles and types
Thread Leader
The Thread Leader is a Router that is responsible for managing the set ofRouters in a Thread network. It is dynamically self-elected for fault tolerance,and aggregates and distributes network-wide configuration information.
Border Router
A Border Router is a device that can forward information between a Threadnetwork and a non-Thread network (for example, Wi-Fi). It also configures aThread network for external connectivity.
Any device may serve as a Border Router.
Partitions
A Thread network might be composed of partitions. This occurs when a group ofThread devices can no longer communicate with another group of Thread devices.Each partition logically operates as a distinct Thread network with its ownLeader, Router ID assignments, and network data, while retaining the samesecurity credentials for all devices across all partitions.
Partitions in a Thread network do not have wireless connectivity between eachother, and if partitions regain connectivity, they automatically merge into asingle partition.
Note that the use of "Thread network" in this primer assumes a single partition.Where necessary, key concepts and examples are clarified with the term "partition."Partitions are covered in-depth later in this primer.
Device limits
There are limits to the number of device types a single Thread network supports.
| Role | Limit |
|---|---|
| Leader | 1 |
| Router | 32 |
| End Device | 511 per Router |
Thread tries to keep the number of Routers between 16 and 23. If a REED attachesas an End Device and the number of Routers in the network is below 16, itautomatically promotes itself to a Router.
Recap
What you learned:
- A Thread device is either a Router (Parent) or an End Device (Child)
- A Thread device is either a Full Thread Device (maintains IPv6 addressmappings) or a Minimal Thread Device (forwards all messages to its Parent)
- A Router Eligible End Device can promote itself to a Router, and vice versa
- Every Thread network partition has a Leader to manage Routers
- A Border Router is used to connect Thread and non-Thread networks
- A Thread network might be composed of multiple partitions
Check your understanding
A Thread network device can fulfill one of two forwarding roles. What are they?
Child Node.
Incorrect.
Router.
Correct.
End Device.
Correct.
Gateway.
Incorrect.
What are the two primary types of Thread device?
Minimal Thread Device (MTD).
Correct.
Full Thread Device (FTD).
Correct.
Miniscule Thread Device (MTD).
Incorrect.
Sleepy End Device (SED).
Incorrect.
Which of the following statements about Routers is not true?
A Router can disable its transceiver to reduce power.
Devices that are functioning as Routers do not disable their transceiver. (If they did, they'd be unable to function properly as a Router.)
A Router forwards packets for network devices.
This statement is true.
A Router keeps its transceiver enabled at all times.
This statement is true. In order to function properly as a Router, a device must keep its transceiver online at all times.
A Router provides secure commissioning services for devices trying to join the network.
This statement is true. Commissioning is an important function of a Thread Router.
When can a device upgrade itself to a Router?
When it is a REED and it is the only node in reach of a new End Device seeking to join the Thread network.
That's right. Under these circ*mstances, a REED can promote itself to a Router.
When it is an End Device seeking to join the Thread network.
Incorrect.
When it is a REED and the Thread network has merged with a larger network.
Incorrect.
When can a Router cause itself to stop acting as a Router?
When it has no children.
That's correct. A Router with no children may revert to an End Device on its own.
When a new End Device is seeking to join the Thread network.
Wrong. A Router cannot revert to an End Device in this scenario.
When another device on the network elects to become a Router.
This could be true. If the number of Thread routers increases to 24 or more, existing Thread routers can start evaluating whether to become an end device.
Consider a scenario where a Thread network contains two groups of nodes that have radio connectivity within the group, but not with members of the other group. What conclusion can one draw from this?
There is more than one partition in that network.
Correct. A partition is formed around each group of nodes that is able to communicate with one another. When there are multiple groups of nodes that can communicate amongst themselves, but not with members of other groups, one can infer that these groups each constitute a distinct partition.
The network lost its Leader.
Incorrect.
All the Routers in the network have gone offline.
Incorrect. In that case, none of the nodes would be able to communicate with one another.
What device is used to connect Thread and non-Thread networks?
A Gateway.
While in traditional networking, the term 'Gateway' does refer to a device that connects two networks, there is a more specific term in the context of a Thread network.
A Border Router.
Correct. A Border Router is used to connect Thread and non-Thread networks.
A Firewall.
That is not right.
A Bridge.
Incorrect. This term refers to a similar concept in traditional networking, namely, a device that connects two LANs that use the *same* network protocol.
How many Leaders may a Thread network partition have?
Either none or exactly one.
This is wrong. A Thread network partition cannot have fewer than one Leader.
One and only one.
Correct. A Thread network partition may have one and only one Leader.
More than one.
Wrong. A Thread network partition cannot have multiple Leaders.
