Difference between revisions of "Mesh Networking"

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==Introduction==
 
==Introduction==
Amateur radio mesh networking uses off the shelf commercial wifi hardware strategically located and loaded with special firmwareEach mesh “node” automatically configures to route traffic to its destination by the most direct series of nodesIf a node goes off the air or a new node appears, the system automatically adjustsThere is no central hub or controller and no need to manually configure routes.
+
*Portions of the ISM bands including 2.4GHz and 5GHz, commonly used for Wifi, overlap with ham bands. 
The mesh itself is only a network. Applications for this network are virtually unlimited and include:
+
*Smart folks have created custom firmware for commercial wifi/wisp hardware that allows them to act as "nodes" in an automatically-configuring fault-tolerant mesh network.   
*IP phones
+
*It started with the then very common Linksys WRT54G routers but has since moved up to some seriously robust outdoor-rated equipment made by Ubiquity.   
*Video feeds
+
*You can do anything with it that you could do over an ordinary LAN - as long as you conform to the Ham regs.   
*Text chat
+
*Hams can use
 +
**More power
 +
**Higher gain
 +
**Some frequencies not available to the general public.
 +
 
 +
See this brochure for a good overview:
 +
[https://www.arednmesh.org/aredn-advantage The AREDN Advantage]
 +
 
 +
==Applications and Services==
 +
*IP phones http://www.trevorsbench.com/portable-mesh-node-with-voip-and-wifi/
 +
*IP Camera Video feeds
 +
**Weather/Smoke spotting
 +
*Text chat http://www.trevorsbench.com/meshchat-messaging-for-mesh-networks/
 
*File transfer
 
*File transfer
 
*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.
+
*Public event coverage
 +
**http://orange-arrl.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/The-Orange-Report-June-2015-V4.pdf (starts on page 15)
 +
*Field-deployable nodes
 +
**http://www.trevorsbench.com/portable-mesh-node-with-voip-and-wifi/
 +
**Temporary nodes can easily be deployed to provide a video feeds along a parade or marathon route, for instance.
 +
 
 +
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 Objectives==
 +
It was proposed that providing IP phone service connecting multiple fire stations would be well-received.
  
Temporary nodes can easily be deployed to provide a video feeds along a parade or marathon route, for instance. 
+
==Potential Node Sites==
  
==Initial Ideas==
+
[https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1KYPxJhXX45McCodg6ZuRD0ZT6Mg&hl=en&usp=sharing Google map of potential sites and links]
*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==
+
[http://usercontent.arednmesh.org/K/5/K5DLQ/livemap2.html?lat=40.761042&lon=-74.986557&z=13 Warren County view of official AREDN live map]
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==
+
===Action Items===
Semi-permanent installation at a few of potential sites.
+
*83 Fire Washington Boro '''Complete 12/10/2016'''
 +
*WC Tech roof '''Complete 11/10/2017'''
 +
*76 Fire Washington Twp.
 +
**Pleasant Valley Rd.
 +
**Washburn Ave
 +
*Montana Moutain Tower
 +
**Omni antenna w/ Rocket radio
 +
*23 Fire Harmony
 +
**KC2VGY Kyle?
 +
**KC2WCQ Robert Mohr
 +
**KC2SJU Brain Unangst
 +
*21 Rescue Belvidere
 +
**KC2SJT Michael Unangst
 +
**KC2SJU Brian Unangst
 +
*Lopatcong FD #2
 +
**K2FN Kevin Murray
  
[https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1KYPxJhXX45McCodg6ZuRD0ZT6Mg&hl=en&usp=sharing Google map of potential sites and links]
 
  
==Site Requirements==
+
 
 +
===Most wanted list===
 +
Hams w/ favorable QTH - need introductions
 +
*NJ
 +
** N2WVW William Kober - Kobers Truck Parts edge of Montana Mountain
 +
*** Interesting guy: http://www.arrl.org/soapbox/view/5777
 +
**KC2VGS Charles Nyland - Cemetery Hill Rd. w/ view to South
 +
*PA
 +
**Paxinosa Rd. Easton
 +
***KB3MXP Schwartzman, Daniel M - email on QRZ - KD2EVR to contact
 +
***K3HKZ ADAMS, CHARLES F
 +
***N3TAN CIACCIO, RAYMOND V
 +
***W0RSJ Murphy, William T
 +
***W3DKV CARRON JR, LAWRENCE P
 +
***KB2WFR LOKEY, PAUL E
 +
**N3LWY FRANKENFIELD, DAVID J Morgan Hill, Easton
 +
 
 +
==Logistics==
 +
 
 +
===Hardware Inventory===
 +
Courtesy of KD2EVR
 +
*4x Nanostation M2 ([https://dl.ubnt.com/datasheets/nanostationm/nsm_ds_web.pdf Datasheet])
 +
**1 at KD2CXC
 +
**1 at KD2EVR
 +
**1 at 83 Fire
 +
**1 available
 +
*5x Nanobridge M2 ([https://dl.ubnt.com/datasheets/nanobridgem/nbm_ds_web.pdf Datasheet])
 +
*3x AC-input POE Injectors
 +
**KD2CXC, 83 Fire, 1 available
 +
*2x DC-input 4-port POE Injectors
 +
*3x WRT54G Router nodes
 +
*1x TP-link travel router (access point into mesh)
 +
*1x Raspberry Pi w/ Camera (IP camera setup)
 +
*Toughcable Pro Outdoor shielded CAT5 cable 1000ft spool
 +
**~50ft at 83 Fire
 +
*Shielded RJ45 Connectors 50pcs
 +
**2 at 83 Fire
 +
 
 +
 
 +
===Wish List===
 +
*More Nodes
 +
*Grounding wire
 +
*Lightening arrestors
 +
**[https://dl.ubnt.com/guides/ETH-SP/ETH-SP_QSG.pdf ETH-SP]https://amzn.com/B00R20OIAY
 +
*POE Injectors (with and without AC power supply)
 +
**https://amzn.com/B00SU9DNDY
 +
**https://amzn.com/B00NTTHLRO
 +
**https://amzn.com/B00HXT8LPW
 +
*CAT5 Patch Cords
 +
*Managed and Unmanaged network switches for linking multiple nodes at the same site
 +
*IP Phones
 +
**https://amzn.com/dp/B015YNST1O
 +
**https://amzn.com/B00KNU2TRE
 +
*IP Cameras
 +
**https://amzn.com/B01HTYW2Q4
 +
*Gel-cells for temporary nodes
 +
*Battery Chargers
 +
**https://amzn.com/B0051D3MP6
 +
*Solar charger controllers
 +
*Site Access!
 +
 
 +
==Background/Reference==
 +
===LOS Link Checking Tools===
 +
*https://airlink.ubnt.com/
 +
*http://www.heywhatsthat.com/
 +
===Site Requirements===
 
*Strictly line-of-sight
 
*Strictly line-of-sight
 
**Even tree leaves can attenuate the signal
 
**Even tree leaves can attenuate the signal
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***http://www.aredn.org/content/device-device-linking-dtdlink
 
***http://www.aredn.org/content/device-device-linking-dtdlink
 
***https://www.scc-ares-races.org/mesh/doc/D2D_Linking_BBHN_Ubiquiti_v150504.pdf
 
***https://www.scc-ares-races.org/mesh/doc/D2D_Linking_BBHN_Ubiquiti_v150504.pdf
 +
*HF/VHF radios on site not likely to be a problem
 +
**scroll down http://www.tim-yvonne.com/ham/mesh/
  
==Hardware==
+
===Hardware Types===
 
*All started with Linksys WRT54G router
 
*All started with Linksys WRT54G router
 
*Mostly superseded by Ubiquiti outdoor-rated units
 
*Mostly superseded by Ubiquiti outdoor-rated units
Line 51: Line 146:
 
***Nanostation - 60 degree beam width
 
***Nanostation - 60 degree beam width
 
***Nanobridge - narrow beam
 
***Nanobridge - narrow beam
***Rocket - up to 120 degree sector antenna
+
***Rocket - up to 120 degree sector antenna or Omni
 
**Single chain
 
**Single chain
 
***Bullet
 
***Bullet
Line 57: Line 152:
 
*Compatibility
 
*Compatibility
 
**WARNING - Ubiquiti devices with V5.6 or later factory firmware must first be downgraded to V5.5 before flashing mesh firmware
 
**WARNING - Ubiquiti devices with V5.6 or later factory firmware must first be downgraded to V5.5 before flashing mesh firmware
 +
**WARNING - The "M" in the Ubiquity nomenclature is important.  For instance, a "Nanostation 2" is an older device and not usable - you want a "Nanostation M2"
 
**http://broadband-hamnet.com/which-hardware-to-use.html
 
**http://broadband-hamnet.com/which-hardware-to-use.html
**http://www.aredn.org/content/supported-platform-matrix
+
**http://www.arednmesh.org/content/supported-platform-matrix
 
*[http://ae5ca.com/?p=74 Your first BBHN node should be a NanoStationM2]
 
*[http://ae5ca.com/?p=74 Your first BBHN node should be a NanoStationM2]
  
==Node Software==
+
===Node Software===
 
*Broadband-hammnet (BBHN)
 
*Broadband-hammnet (BBHN)
 
**originally named High Speed Multi-Media (HSMM) http://broadband-hamnet.com/
 
**originally named High Speed Multi-Media (HSMM) http://broadband-hamnet.com/
 
**Still supports WRT54G router
 
**Still supports WRT54G router
*Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network (AREDN) http://aredn.org/
+
*Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network (AREDN) https://arednmesh.org/
 
**Spun off from BBHN
 
**Spun off from BBHN
 
**More active development
 
**More active development
Line 73: Line 169:
 
**Install script for Raspberry Pi
 
**Install script for Raspberry Pi
 
**Probably works on other Linux PC's as well
 
**Probably works on other Linux PC's as well
Good news as that all current versions still interpenetrate so far.
+
Good news as that all current versions still interoperate so far.
 
 
==Hardware Inventory==
 
Courtesy of KD2EVR
 
*4x Nanostation M2
 
*5x Nanobridge M2
 
*3x AC-input POE Injectors
 
 
 
==Wish List==
 
*Outdoor shielded CAT5 cable
 
**https://amzn.com/B008L143VW
 
*Shielded Connectors
 
**https://amzn.com/B009XE6JY0
 
**https://amzn.com/B00HXT8PZ8
 
*Grounding wire
 
*Lightening arrestors
 
**[https://dl.ubnt.com/guides/ETH-SP/ETH-SP_QSG.pdf ETH-SP]https://amzn.com/B00R20OIAY
 
*More Nodes
 
*POE Injectors (with and without AC power supply)
 
**https://amzn.com/B00SU9DNDY
 
**https://amzn.com/B00NTTHLRO
 
**https://amzn.com/B00HXT8LPW
 
*CAT5 Patch Cords
 
*Managed and Unmanaged network switches for linking multiple nodes at the same site
 
*Gel-cells for temporary nodes
 
*Site Access!
 

Revision as of 15:01, 8 September 2018

Introduction

  • Portions of the ISM bands including 2.4GHz and 5GHz, commonly used for Wifi, overlap with ham bands.
  • Smart folks have created custom firmware for commercial wifi/wisp hardware that allows them to act as "nodes" in an automatically-configuring fault-tolerant mesh network.
  • It started with the then very common Linksys WRT54G routers but has since moved up to some seriously robust outdoor-rated equipment made by Ubiquity.
  • You can do anything with it that you could do over an ordinary LAN - as long as you conform to the Ham regs.
  • Hams can use
    • More power
    • Higher gain
    • Some frequencies not available to the general public.

See this brochure for a good overview: The AREDN Advantage

Applications and Services

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 Objectives

It was proposed that providing IP phone service connecting multiple fire stations would be well-received.

Potential Node Sites

Google map of potential sites and links

Warren County view of official AREDN live map

Action Items

  • 83 Fire Washington Boro Complete 12/10/2016
  • WC Tech roof Complete 11/10/2017
  • 76 Fire Washington Twp.
    • Pleasant Valley Rd.
    • Washburn Ave
  • Montana Moutain Tower
    • Omni antenna w/ Rocket radio
  • 23 Fire Harmony
    • KC2VGY Kyle?
    • KC2WCQ Robert Mohr
    • KC2SJU Brain Unangst
  • 21 Rescue Belvidere
    • KC2SJT Michael Unangst
    • KC2SJU Brian Unangst
  • Lopatcong FD #2
    • K2FN Kevin Murray


Most wanted list

Hams w/ favorable QTH - need introductions

  • NJ
  • PA
    • Paxinosa Rd. Easton
      • KB3MXP Schwartzman, Daniel M - email on QRZ - KD2EVR to contact
      • K3HKZ ADAMS, CHARLES F
      • N3TAN CIACCIO, RAYMOND V
      • W0RSJ Murphy, William T
      • W3DKV CARRON JR, LAWRENCE P
      • KB2WFR LOKEY, PAUL E
    • N3LWY FRANKENFIELD, DAVID J Morgan Hill, Easton

Logistics

Hardware Inventory

Courtesy of KD2EVR

  • 4x Nanostation M2 (Datasheet)
    • 1 at KD2CXC
    • 1 at KD2EVR
    • 1 at 83 Fire
    • 1 available
  • 5x Nanobridge M2 (Datasheet)
  • 3x AC-input POE Injectors
    • KD2CXC, 83 Fire, 1 available
  • 2x DC-input 4-port POE Injectors
  • 3x WRT54G Router nodes
  • 1x TP-link travel router (access point into mesh)
  • 1x Raspberry Pi w/ Camera (IP camera setup)
  • Toughcable Pro Outdoor shielded CAT5 cable 1000ft spool
    • ~50ft at 83 Fire
  • Shielded RJ45 Connectors 50pcs
    • 2 at 83 Fire


Wish List

Background/Reference

LOS Link Checking Tools

Site Requirements

Hardware Types

Node Software

  • Broadband-hammnet (BBHN)
  • Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network (AREDN) https://arednmesh.org/
    • Spun off from BBHN
    • More active development
    • More descriptive and "professional" sounding name when approaching agencies
    • Dropped support of WRT54G
  • HSMM-Pi https://github.com/urlgrey/hsmm-pi
    • Install script for Raspberry Pi
    • Probably works on other Linux PC's as well

Good news as that all current versions still interoperate so far.