The nightly build from Dec 13, 2018 now includes an ability to turn off the RF if not in use. See the "enable" button by mesh RF in attached image #1.
If you "uncheck" this Enable box, and "save", then see attached image #2. There is now an option to enable a mesh LAN access point. These options become visible on all AREDN devices. At this point, after a reboot, the wireless will be off and not configured.
If you "check" the LAN Access Point Enable box, and configure the settings, then reboot, the device becomes a standard Access Point. Any devices that connect will be as if physically on the LAN of the mesh node to access all mesh services.
In the past we would configure a standard wifi router or the AirGateway in bridge mode, then cat5 connect to the LAN of a mesh node. Now, the access point can be any AREDN device and it would then DtDLink with a cat5 cable to another mesh node with RF mesh enabled.
As an example, at Field Day, there could be a P2P mesh node Nanobridge or PowerBeam pointing up to the tower/cell site and connected to the greater mesh network. This NanoBridge could have a local NanoStation M2 or M5 connected via DtDlink together. But the Nanostation has LAN access point enabled. You now have mesh wifi coverage to the field day site for laptops and other device to connect into he mesh. The Nanostation provides strong wifi coverage to the area with a high gain antenna.
Joe AE6XE
If you "uncheck" this Enable box, and "save", then see attached image #2. There is now an option to enable a mesh LAN access point. These options become visible on all AREDN devices. At this point, after a reboot, the wireless will be off and not configured.
If you "check" the LAN Access Point Enable box, and configure the settings, then reboot, the device becomes a standard Access Point. Any devices that connect will be as if physically on the LAN of the mesh node to access all mesh services.
In the past we would configure a standard wifi router or the AirGateway in bridge mode, then cat5 connect to the LAN of a mesh node. Now, the access point can be any AREDN device and it would then DtDLink with a cat5 cable to another mesh node with RF mesh enabled.
As an example, at Field Day, there could be a P2P mesh node Nanobridge or PowerBeam pointing up to the tower/cell site and connected to the greater mesh network. This NanoBridge could have a local NanoStation M2 or M5 connected via DtDlink together. But the Nanostation has LAN access point enabled. You now have mesh wifi coverage to the field day site for laptops and other device to connect into he mesh. The Nanostation provides strong wifi coverage to the area with a high gain antenna.
Joe AE6XE
That little "check" box is going to reduce a great deal of low level spectrum "pollution".
Great job, Joe!
Many thanks,
julie /ac0wn
Orv W6BI
Orv W6BI
Joe AE6XE
Orv W6BI
Joe AE6XE
I have a Raspberry Pi Zero W that been wanting to add to my Mikrotik node and wanted to keep it simple by not adding anything else other than power from USB port.