Mesh Networking

Broadband HamNet Advanced Configurations

Goals of this Presentation

• Review high level concepts of Mesh Networking

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– 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

• 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?

WB8LCD-1

K8SRR-1

Node Loss Scenario 1

WB8LCD-1

K8SRR-1

Node Loss Scenario 2

WB8LCD-1

K8SRR-1

Internet Connectivity

WB8LCD-1

K8SRR-1Internet

Internet

Mesh ConfigurationsLocal Mesh

Mesh ConfigurationsFill the gap

• Battery unit with can run hours. Add a small solar panel and can run indefinitely.

K8SRR-1Internet

Mesh ConfigurationsDirectional 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

WiFi

Mesh Configurations Multi-Directional Mesh

• Multi-Directional Mesh

Mesh Configurations Combinations

Mesh Configurations EMA Setup

Basic Setup

Mesh Node Status

OLSR Routes

Port Forwarding/DHCP/Services

K8SRR-14 Mesh Diagram

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

QUESTIONS?