Introduction to Broadband HamNet Mesh Networking Introduction to Broadband HamNet

Goals of this Presentation Obtain an understanding of Mesh Networking Understand basic setup and configuration of a mesh node Understand various uses of a mesh network

What is Mesh Networking? Method for creating a computer network Mesh nodes are self discovering, self configuring, self advertising and fault tolerant Mesh network can act as a Local Area Network (LAN) or be connected to other networks, like the Internet Purpose built as an EMCOM tool

How can we do this? Consumer based hardware overlaps Amateur frequencies! 2.4Ghz 5.7Ghz 900Mhz 3.4Ghz (coming soon) As Amateurs, we can add high gain antennas and increase power beyond Part 15.

Software Broadband HamNet (formally HSMM) firmware Primary Developers First released 8/24/2006 Based off of OpenWRT open source software Utilizes OLSR – this is the software that does the “meshing.” Primary Developers Glenn KD5MFW David AD5OO Bob WB5AOH Rick NG5V Ham priced – FREE!

Hardware - Linksys Linksys WRT54 routers Inexpensive $20-$35 on eBay Nice port layout, particularly for interfacing to the Internet Run on 12VDC Options for additional antennas No longer manufactured Not all WRT54G models are compatible, only specific “versions” – know what you need

Hardware - Ubiquiti Ubiquiti Devices Costs $60-$130 More durable than Linksys for outdoor use Products are still being manufactured Larger internal memory, allowing larger firmware images (more features) Requires power injectors to power the devices Single RJ45 port Additional ports require a switch. Interfacing into Internet is more complex and requires switch that supports VLANs. Make sure the model you want to purchase is on compatibility list.

Hardware – Raspberry Pi Cost $35-$50 Product is still being manufactured Larger internal memory, allowing larger firmware images (more features) Allows customized application development Single RJ45 port Additional ports require a switch. Need to purchase USB WiFi adapter Mesh interface is not “standard” Not all features are implemented in the RPi interface. More complex to install

Terminology Nodes – A “node” is a mesh device in the network. This would be a Linksys, Ubiquiti, or RPi. Devices – Devices are any IP based hardware that is plugged into the Mesh network. This include devices like Laptops, IP Cameras, and IP Printers.

How does this work?

Node Loss Scenario 1

Node Loss Scenario 2

Internet Connectivity

What can we do with it? We have a local TCP/IP Network! IP Cameras/Webcams VoIP PBX Magic Jack Email (SMTP) Web Traffic (HTTP) FTP (File Transfer Protocol) Instant Messaging Cloud Storage Dropbox SugarSync NAS devices (Network Storage) Any program or device that uses TCP/IP for connectivity

Devices on the Mesh

Show me the flash Download the latest firmware from http://www.broadband-hamnet.org Be sure you get the correct firmware for your hardware and hardware version! Factory reset the device, particularly if you’ve bought it used. Plug in the device directly to your computer Run the following commands from a Command window ipconfig /release – This command releases the current IP address on your computer ipconfig /renew – This command obtains a new IP address for your computer You can check the IP addresses assigned to your computer by running the following command ipconfig The IPv4 address listed is the address assigned to your computer The Default Gateway address is the IP address of your router. If there is no Default Gateway address and/or your assigned address is 169.x.x.x the router is not operating correctly. Login to the device by going to http://router_ip_address Linksys Devices typically use a local IP address of 192.168.1.1 Default login/password: (blank)/admin Ubiquiti Devices typically use a local IP address of 192.168.1.20 Default login/password: ubnt/ubnt

Update Flash - Linksys Navigate to the screen to upload/update firmware in the Administration Menu

Update Flash - Ubiquiti Navigate to the screen to upload/update firmware in the System Menu

Flashed! Log into your node. Once router reboots, refresh your IP address ipconfig /release ipconfig /renew You can access the node 2 ways: http://localnode:8080 http://node_ip_address:8080 Node ip address can be determined by issuing the ipconfig command and node the address of the Default Gateway. That is the node’s IP address Login to the node Default login/password: root/hsmm

Logged in

Basic Configuration Node Name: CallSign-x Password Node Name must be unique on the mesh network. Optionally you can add a tactical call to the node Callsign-x/Tactical Note that tactical callsigns must be unique on the mesh network Password Enter a password to access the node. Recommend you write the node name and password on the node. Save the configuration and reboot the router After the device is rebooted, you will need to release/renew the IP address on your computer. The IP addresses assigned by nodes is based off of the Node Name. Any time the Node Name is changed, the IP addresses provided by the node will change. Your Mesh node is online!

Mesh Node Status

K8SRR-14 Mesh Diagram

Notes on Mesh Networks You cannot connect a computer via WiFi to a Mesh Network The Mesh firmware version must be the same for nodes to mesh together. A version 1.0.0 mesh node will not connect with a 3.1.0 node Changing the mesh node name will change the IP scheme the node provides, ipconfig /release and ipconfig /renew are your friend! Nodes will be accessible by name and/or tactical call. i.e. http://k8srr-14:8080 can access a given node Do not forget your password!

QUESTIONS?