Difference between revisions of "Mesh Networking"
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| − | * | + | ==Introduction== |
| + | Amateur radio mesh networking uses off the shelf commercial wifi hardware strategically located and loaded with special firmware. Each mesh “node” automatically configures to route traffic to its destination by the most direct series of nodes. If a node goes off the air or a new node appears, the system automatically adjusts. There is no central hub or controller and no need to manually configure routes. | ||
| + | The mesh itself is only a network. Applications for this network are virtually unlimited and include: | ||
| + | *IP phones | ||
| + | *Video feeds | ||
| + | *Text chat | ||
| + | *File transfer | ||
| + | *Hosting intra-net web sites | ||
| + | Capabilities such as these could prove invaluable to emergency services in a situation where, for instance, the internet, cell phones and land lines are not available. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Initial Ideas== | ||
| + | Initially I supposed that the W2SJT VHF repeater site would be a good location for the first mesh station due to its vantage point. However, the inherent inconvenience of accessing high up on the tower and the complexity of covering multiple directions from one site leads me to believe that we shouldn’t attempt it until we have some initial experience with smaller scale installations. | ||
| + | |||
| + | It was proposed that providing IP phones service connecting multiple fire stations would be well-received. | ||
| + | ==Phase One== | ||
| + | We've already experimented with nodes that are relatively near each other so the next step could be to temporarily create a more complex network over longer range where some nodes can not see all the other nodes. | ||
| + | ==Phase Two== | ||
| + | The next goal could be creating a semi-permanent link between two locations that could be further expand. | ||
| + | *Harmony Firehouse and Belvidere Ambulance Squad are two locations that were proposed and they seem to be in good line of site of each other. WC3T in Nazareth PA may be reachable from Harmony. | ||
| + | *The roof or Warren Tech may provide line of site to Washinton Boro Firehouse to the East and K2FN to the West. | ||
| + | ==Site Requirements== | ||
| + | The microwave frequencies used for mesh networking propagate strictly line-of-sight. Even tree leaves can attenuate the signal so a location that looks good on a map may be unusable in reality. Elevation in excess of what's required to clear any obstacles does not appreciably improve performance. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The hardware itself is designed for outdoor use and can typically be mounted to a vertical 1.5" diameter pipe. Outdoor rated, shielded Ethernet cable is then run into the building. Power at 12-24VDC is delivered over the Ethernet cable via passive POE. The node is stand-alone so Ethernet cabling is not strictly required unless its needed to connect other equipment to the mesh. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Nodes can be powered from an AC-input power supply as well as batteries charged by solar, wind, etc. | ||
| + | ==Hardware Inventory== | ||
| + | Courtesy of KD2EVR | ||
| + | *4x Nanostation M2 | ||
| + | *5x Nanobridge M2 | ||
| + | *3x AC-input POE Injectors | ||
| + | ==Wish List== | ||
| + | *Outdoor shielded CAT5 cable | ||
| + | *Shielded Connectors | ||
| + | *Grounding wire | ||
| + | *Lightening arrestors | ||
| + | *More Nodes | ||
| + | *POE Injectors (with and without AC power supply) | ||
| + | *CAT5 Patch Cords | ||
| + | *Managed and Unmanaged network switches for linking multiple nodes at the same site | ||
| + | *Gel-cells for temporary | ||
Revision as of 17:46, 21 August 2016
Contents
Introduction
Amateur radio mesh networking uses off the shelf commercial wifi hardware strategically located and loaded with special firmware. Each mesh “node” automatically configures to route traffic to its destination by the most direct series of nodes. If a node goes off the air or a new node appears, the system automatically adjusts. There is no central hub or controller and no need to manually configure routes. The mesh itself is only a network. Applications for this network are virtually unlimited and include:
- IP phones
- Video feeds
- Text chat
- File transfer
- Hosting intra-net web sites
Capabilities such as these could prove invaluable to emergency services in a situation where, for instance, the internet, cell phones and land lines are not available.
Initial Ideas
Initially I supposed that the W2SJT VHF repeater site would be a good location for the first mesh station due to its vantage point. However, the inherent inconvenience of accessing high up on the tower and the complexity of covering multiple directions from one site leads me to believe that we shouldn’t attempt it until we have some initial experience with smaller scale installations.
It was proposed that providing IP phones service connecting multiple fire stations would be well-received.
Phase One
We've already experimented with nodes that are relatively near each other so the next step could be to temporarily create a more complex network over longer range where some nodes can not see all the other nodes.
Phase Two
The next goal could be creating a semi-permanent link between two locations that could be further expand.
- Harmony Firehouse and Belvidere Ambulance Squad are two locations that were proposed and they seem to be in good line of site of each other. WC3T in Nazareth PA may be reachable from Harmony.
- The roof or Warren Tech may provide line of site to Washinton Boro Firehouse to the East and K2FN to the West.
Site Requirements
The microwave frequencies used for mesh networking propagate strictly line-of-sight. Even tree leaves can attenuate the signal so a location that looks good on a map may be unusable in reality. Elevation in excess of what's required to clear any obstacles does not appreciably improve performance.
The hardware itself is designed for outdoor use and can typically be mounted to a vertical 1.5" diameter pipe. Outdoor rated, shielded Ethernet cable is then run into the building. Power at 12-24VDC is delivered over the Ethernet cable via passive POE. The node is stand-alone so Ethernet cabling is not strictly required unless its needed to connect other equipment to the mesh.
Nodes can be powered from an AC-input power supply as well as batteries charged by solar, wind, etc.
Hardware Inventory
Courtesy of KD2EVR
- 4x Nanostation M2
- 5x Nanobridge M2
- 3x AC-input POE Injectors
Wish List
- Outdoor shielded CAT5 cable
- Shielded Connectors
- Grounding wire
- Lightening arrestors
- More Nodes
- POE Injectors (with and without AC power supply)
- CAT5 Patch Cords
- Managed and Unmanaged network switches for linking multiple nodes at the same site
- Gel-cells for temporary
