Dallas mesh network

Off Topic
#1

I’ve brought this up in the past on the old forums. I think there could be an opportunity to build communities where they remove the dependence of ISPs. Is there still any interest in developing a project for a Dallas Mesh Network? It is still very relevant in the news.

Resource links:


http://www.reddit.com/r/DallasMeshnet/


https://projectmeshnet.org/

https://opengarden.com/

A couple of barriers of making this project successful that need to be resolved

  1. Wireless hardware. The mesh network needs a wireless infrastructure. My thought is to use a ubiquitous device like a LinkSys router with an open source gateway in order to keep it low cost.
  2. Ease of connectivity. The mesh network needs to be accessed seamlessly and quickly. This is where good application software will need to be developed. Firechat and Open Garden are the types of apps that could solve this.
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#2

Being part of a mesh network would be cool. If you need any help putting something on the roof let me know. I suggest going with PoE, as there aren’t any outlets up there.

#3

Remember, I said I wanted something like this, but for phone service. I’m thinking that something like the Beartooth emergency phone could be adapted for mesh networks:

#4

If you need something on the roof let me know, we still haven’t finished the amateur radio install.

#5

According to Project MeshNet the recommended hardware for a peer-to-peer node is the following
http://wiki.projectmeshnet.org/Getting_started#Starting_or_joining_a_MeshLocal

  • Any Ubiquiti Nanostation
  • Arc Wireless FreeStations (Note: these generally brick when
    attempting to put OpenWRT on them, so have an RS232 cable handy)
  • Most OpenWRT compatible routers (listed on wiki website)
#6

There is an interesting project from the Amateur Radio community that utilizes off the shelf Linksys and Ubiquity (?) hardware to provide an open mesh network. It is called ‘broadband hamnet’ and more information can be found at Broad Band Hamnet dot org

I have installed there software on a WRT54GL and have a WRT54G-TM that I am also planning on installing it on. I can bring with me sometime if anyone would like to see how the system works.

2 Likes
#7

We’ve discussed putting up a BBHN node amongst the ham folks a little. I believe someone was willing to donate a Ubiquiti Bullet M2HP to the project. We’d need to scrounge or purchase a good high gain omni antenna for 2.4GHz and put it on as high a pole as we can manage. Other than that, it just needs 12VDC fed up network cable.

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[Wifi SIG] Internet Mesh in Dallas