1. Mesh Networking Broadband HamNet Advanced Configurations

2. Goals of this Presentation Review high level concepts of Mesh Networking

3. 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

4. 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.

5. Software Broadband HamNet (formally HSMM) firmware – 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!

6. 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

7. 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.

8. Hardware – Raspberry Pi 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

9. 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.

10. How does this work?

11. Node Loss Scenario 1

12. Node Loss Scenario 2

13. Internet Connectivity

14. Mesh Configurations Local Mesh

15. Mesh Configurations Fill the gap Battery unit with can run hours. Add a small solar panel and can run indefinitely.

16. Mesh Configurations Directional Mesh Reported 6-10 mile range with LOS Connect remote sites together, then mesh locally Add nodes in the directional path. – Don’t necessarily need two directional antennas

17. Mesh Configurations Multi-Directional Mesh Multi-Directional Mesh

18. Mesh Configurations Combinations

19. Mesh Configurations EMA Setup

20. Basic Setup

21. Mesh Node Status

22. OLSR Routes

23. Port Forwarding/DHCP/Services

24. K8SRR-14 Mesh Diagram

25. What can we do with it? We have a local TCP/IP Network! – IP Cameras/Webcams - Demo – VoIP PBX – Asterisks on Raspberry Pi/SIP Trunks. Magic Jack (requires Internet) – Instant Messaging – Intranet messaging HamChat add-on with firmware 3.1.0 SparkIM – NAS devices (Network Storage) Raspberry Pi with External USB disk or on SIM card - Demo NAS Storage off the shelf – With Internet Access Email Web Traffic FTP Cloud Storage – Dropbox – SugarSync – Any program or device that uses TCP/IP for connectivity

26. QUESTIONS?