Difference between revisions of "Mesh Networking"
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*Hosting intra-net web sites | *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. | 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. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Temporary nodes can easily be deployed to provide a video feeds along a parade or marathon route, for instance. | ||
==Initial Ideas== | ==Initial Ideas== | ||
*It was proposed that providing IP phones service connecting multiple fire stations would be well-received. | *It was proposed that providing IP phones service connecting multiple fire stations would be well-received. | ||
*W2SJT VHF repeater site | *W2SJT VHF repeater site | ||
| + | **LOS to most other potential sites | ||
**Save it for when we have more experience? | **Save it for when we have more experience? | ||
| + | *Belvidere Ambulance Squad to Harmony Firehouse (to WC3T in Nazareth PA?) | ||
| + | *Roof or Warren Tech to Washington Boro Firehouse and/or K2FN | ||
==Phase One== | ==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. | 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== | ==Phase Two== | ||
| − | + | Semi-permanent installation at a few of the sites above. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
==Site Requirements== | ==Site Requirements== | ||
| − | + | *Strictly line-of-sight | |
| − | + | **Even tree leaves can attenuate the signal | |
| − | + | *Nodes mount to 1.5" dia vertical pipe | |
| + | *Outdoor rated, shielded CAT5 cable provides POE power and wired connectivity to site services | ||
| + | *Power is 12-24VDC | ||
| + | **AC input power supply | ||
| + | **Batteries | ||
| + | ***Float charged backup | ||
| + | ***Solar/Wind/etc. | ||
| + | *Multiple nodes one one site | ||
| + | **Probably need to be on different channels | ||
| + | **Two nodes can be linked ethernet port to ethernet port | ||
| + | **More than two need a network switch | ||
| − | |||
==Hardware Inventory== | ==Hardware Inventory== | ||
Courtesy of KD2EVR | Courtesy of KD2EVR | ||
| Line 40: | Line 52: | ||
*CAT5 Patch Cords | *CAT5 Patch Cords | ||
*Managed and Unmanaged network switches for linking multiple nodes at the same site | *Managed and Unmanaged network switches for linking multiple nodes at the same site | ||
| − | *Gel-cells for temporary | + | *Gel-cells for temporary nodes |
| + | *Site Access! | ||
Revision as of 18:35, 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.
Temporary nodes can easily be deployed to provide a video feeds along a parade or marathon route, for instance.
Initial Ideas
- It was proposed that providing IP phones service connecting multiple fire stations would be well-received.
- W2SJT VHF repeater site
- LOS to most other potential sites
- Save it for when we have more experience?
- Belvidere Ambulance Squad to Harmony Firehouse (to WC3T in Nazareth PA?)
- Roof or Warren Tech to Washington Boro Firehouse and/or K2FN
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
Semi-permanent installation at a few of the sites above.
Site Requirements
- Strictly line-of-sight
- Even tree leaves can attenuate the signal
- Nodes mount to 1.5" dia vertical pipe
- Outdoor rated, shielded CAT5 cable provides POE power and wired connectivity to site services
- Power is 12-24VDC
- AC input power supply
- Batteries
- Float charged backup
- Solar/Wind/etc.
- Multiple nodes one one site
- Probably need to be on different channels
- Two nodes can be linked ethernet port to ethernet port
- More than two need a network switch
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 nodes
- Site Access!
