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Need help install of smart switch

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KW7RS
KW7RS's picture
Need help install of smart switch
Just received the smart switch.  Trying to bone up on this technology. Does the Bullet and Poe for same need to be configured in VLAN as "tagged" along with Windows 7 PC, Linux Mint PC and ASUS Wireless Router being 'tagged' such that Bullet M2 node is accessible from Win 7, Linux and Wireless Laptop PC's?
 
Somewhat in a quandrie about Bullet/Poe needing to be "tagged" but guess it would not hurt.  Then the smart switch can be chained down to "dumb" switch for printers etc.  Still do not know what the Mesh node can be used for.
 
Please advise.  Thanks.

Regards,
Rolly KW7RS
AE6XE
AE6XE's picture
Rolly,
Rolly,

Think of mesh nodes as the building blocks used to create our own internet, but it is private for our own use.   The internet (the network of routers and devices that can move data back and forth) by itself is only interesting, but not very useful, until we start adding services on it.     This might be  a chat with keyboard text typing back and forth, digital telephones to call others on our network, video cameras to remotely view, document shares for people to store, share, and retrieve, and much more.     

It will be difficult to advise you on how to configure the switch until it is determined what devices you have and want to connect on to our ham private network.    A first step is to put your computer onto the mesh network to begin to access the services of others--common example is remote control and viewing of a camera.   This doesn't require the smart switch to do.  Are you linked with anyone else on a local network?   Connecting in and getting famiar with how to access the servcies is the first step.  

Sometimes if you do not have an established local network with RF paths--a small network growing--you may need to find someone to tunnel with (connect over the internet with).  This looks the same as if you connected over RF to learn how to navigate and use the services.

The smart switch is needed when you need to tunnel, want to add a VOIP phone,  have a camera to let others look at your shack, etc.  Do you have any of these devices to get setup with the smart switch?

Joe AE6XE
KW7RS
KW7RS's picture
Need help install of smart switch
Joe:

I will hook up only one computer to the Poe for the Bullet M2HP.  The computer has Linux Mint version 17 loaded.  Have already had the screen come up when connected to the Poe that shows my node.  Have not gotten beyond that.  How does one look at the other services available?  Are these services interactive?  Please advise.  Thanks.

Regards,
Rolly KW7RS
KW7RS
KW7RS's picture
Need help install of smart switch
Joe:

Thanks much for the reply.  I am a newbie to this mesh stuff.  Was advised to order smart switch so that networks were not fighting each other.  Got a mesh node up and running, but that was about it.  Don't know ANYTHING about accessing services of others i.e. remote control or viewing of a camera.  Is there someplace with pictures that can be accessed on the Internet?  Is it possible to configure the smart switch such that all three computers can be used for the mesh node?  Need advice.  Just looking for direction.

Regards,
Rolly KW7RS
WU2S
WU2S's picture
YouTube is a good resource

Rolly,
Try searching on YouTube for instructional videos. Searching for "Netgear smart switch" or "Netgear GS105E" or "simple vlan" will help you find useful information on the concepts and configurations. 
73,
Randy WU2S

KW7RS
KW7RS's picture
Need help install of smart switch
Randy:  Can't thank you enough for your suggestions.

73,
Rolly KW7RS
AE6XE
AE6XE's picture
Rolly,   There's a few paths
Rolly,   There's a few paths forward:

1) There is newly released option in 3.16.1.0b1 firmware for a device with all the ports built in:  Buy a "Ubiquiti AirRouter HP".  This is a 2nd mesh node (indoors in the office) that has the smart switch pre-configured and built in (just install AREDN firmware) with 5 ports.  Don't need 'smart switch' or to configure it (send current one back?).
2) Advanced option:   Configure the smart switch (assuming it is a netgear GS105E) with the following instructions.   It will be very difficult to give directions over the forum beyond the detail of this document.  If you run into any challenges, it would be best to try and find a local IT guru to connect up with or someone locally that has already done this.   http://www.aredn.org/content/configuring-netgear-gs105e-switch-lanwan-ports
3) mail me the smart switch @ qrz address, and I'll configure and return.

Note, Do you have identified another local ham mesh user to point your mesh node antennas to one anther and begin to communicate (accessing each other's servcies)?    HamChat is a typical first service to try out.   Then add voip phones to call each other, etc.

Joe AE6XE
 

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