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New - AREDN's first USB Mesh device: GL-USB150

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K9CQB
K9CQB's picture
New - AREDN's first USB Mesh device: GL-USB150
Huge thanks to ​Joe Ayers AE6XE for being awesome and to ZL2WRW and others for contributing the code for AR150. AREDN and ham radio's first mesh-capable USB device now exists in the GL-USB150 (still experimental FW -nightly load 896). 

The GL-USB150 Microuter is the result of basically cramming a USB-to-Ethernet adapter and an AR150 inside a USB stick (minus the second LAN port and USB host port of course) - all for $30. 
With such a small footprint, this device would be great for traveling and tunneling back to the home mesh or hitting your local 2.4GHz AREDN nodes. It has a lot of memory like the AR150, but also has very low power (20dBm).

On the PCB there's a Realtek USB to Ethernet chip inline before it hits the tiny Ethernet pinouts on the AR9331 chip. For those of us with no Ethernet ports on our laptop, this is great, because it's already built in. They used one of the most common USB to Ethernet chips (Realtek RTL8152B). Upon its connection to the computer via a USB port, it will work as a USB Ethernet 10/100 adapter.

Here's a link to buy one of these:
https://amazon.com/GL-iNet-GL-USB150-Microuter/dp/B06XTXKRMY/

I'll attach some photos of my node running IperfSpeed and Meshchat and the board layout.
I will show a few projects in the future on how to increase the range of your WiFi USB stick in a tight package.


-Damon K9CQB


K9CQB
K9CQB's picture
Photos of GL-USB150
Here are some photos of my GL-USB150 AREDN node and some board layout.

* The last 2 photos are a comparison of how my WiFi travel router connects to my laptop with the GL-AR150, compared to the GL-USB150 Microuter. One is more sleek than the other.

-Damon K9CQB
Image Attachments: 
K6AH
K6AH's picture
Ok Damon...
... you finally pushed me over the fence ;-)  I just ordered one on Amazon and it'll be here tomorrow.
 
Wb8qjz
You Enticed Me To Try This Device

Thanks for the great information on this device . I ordered two and successfully 
updated and configured the first one tonight .  It’s operating flawlessly so far.
the wheels are turning in my head about future uses . Please keep us all informed.

Stan WB8QJZ 

WU2S
WU2S's picture
Thank you
Thank you for the thorough update on these interesting little units!
n9ms
n9ms's picture
WAN Connection
I'm plugging in my AREDN node gl-usb150 into a Windows 10 computer. Is there any way to get the device a WAN connection for use with the tunnel client/server?
K5DLQ
K5DLQ's picture
not at the moment.
not at the moment.
It would take firewall/iptables manipulation on the host (Windows, OSX, Linux) to do this.
 
K6AH
K6AH's picture
Check out the gl-ar150
...but the gl-ar150 will do tunnels.
WA9JG
WA9JG's picture
Issues with the GL-USB150?

I bought two of them on Amazon.    I had one of them loaded with Nightly ​960-d8f9320 at the workshop K5DLQ put on at Transtar in Houston.   While in the class I was not able to see or connect to a mikrotik hAC.  I assumed that it was somthing I did.  I did check the channel and bandwidth and they were correct.   
So,  after arriving at home I loaded up my second GL-USB150.   They cannot see each other...    I noticed that the WIFI scan was blank also.   I have multiple SSID's in my house operating on 2.4Ghz

Should I see them in the wifi scan window or is that a ubquiti only feature?  
Is there some localization that must be done prior to updating the firmware to the AREDN image?     

I have a 2.4Ghz bullet being delivered at home today I will get that loaded up later tonight. 

As an update I also checked to see if I could see the SSID's using a scanner and I do not see the AREDN-5-v3 SSID nor do I see any RF out in the 2.4Ghz range using my HackRF one SDR 
I also updated to the 987-74ca6f5 nightly build with the same results. 

nc8q
nc8q's picture
Issues with the GL-USB150?

This sounds familiar.
Did you 'un X' the box next to 'Keep Settings' when you loaded the firmware?

A device set to 20 MHz bandwidth can find other 20 MHz bandwidth devices but not 10s or 5s.
Set both/all your devices to 10 MHz bandwidth and re-scan or
set all your devices to channel 1 through 6 and 20 MHz bandwidth and re-scan.
There seems to be a bug with 5 MHz bandwidth settings.

I hope this helps, Chuck
 

WA9JG
WA9JG's picture
I did uncheck keep settings..
I did uncheck keep settings...     I made that mistake the first time I loaded one up.  I'm an old netork guy so I figured out where to find it and did a firmware reset.   
I think I got them working.   I did GL reload putting on the GL firmware then followed the full reinstall and saw RF this time and the can mesh with each other..   I wonder if not clearing the setting was the cause because I made that mistake on the first one..... I noted my steps when troubleshooting. I did not watch closely when I did the first one.   

Thanks for your input! 

Jim
K6AH
K6AH's picture
Try 10MHz bandwidth
Try changing to 10MHz bandwidth.
K6CCC
K6CCC's picture
OK, I ordered one too...
This looks really cool.
You got me.  I have one of these on order.  It will arrive at my office on Monday, but that is my day off so I'll have it Tuesday...
 
N3IIG
GL-USB150 Software

I can't seem to find the software for the ​GL-USB150 - they say under (still experimental FW -nightly load 896). but I can't seem to find it. Any links?
Since it's referred to as 896 I'm looking for something that has 896 in it but found this instead:
aredn-1101-ad0caaf-gl-usb150-sysupgrade.bin
would this be it? Where does the # 896 come from?

nc8q
nc8q's picture
Current Nightly Build

That is the correct nightly build for your device, today.
NB 896 was back in May.
This morning it is 1101.
Tomorrow, who knows.

Hope thtis helps, Chuck

N3IIG
GL-USB150 Software
Got it, flashed the unit - I get to the login page and have tried root/hsmm but doesn't let me login to setup the node. I've set 5-6 ubiquity devices where they have all been root/hsmm. That possibly change too?
K6CCC
K6CCC's picture
CAPS lock?
Are you in CAPS lock?  I think we have all done that at some time...
I don't remember having to do anything different as long as you remembered to UNCHECK the box to save settings (or something like that).  If you let it retain the settings, it will likely be the USB150's previous login.

 
N3IIG
GL-USB150 Software
caps lock is off -
tried root/mesh
tried root/mhss
tried to reset
tried to log in with previous name/pw
What can I use to flash the unit back to original ( I did backup the original software) and start all over.
w6bi
w6bi's picture
login
Don't know if you typo'ed it or not, but it's root/hsmm

 
K6CCC
K6CCC's picture
If you have the option to go
If you have the option to go back and start over that may be the easiest.  If I recall when I did mine, the really obvious way to do a firmware update was to do a drag and drop of the new file to a huge box that covered a large part of the screen as a "target".  Don't do that as it does not give you the option to NOT save settings.  Without looking at it, I don't remember exactly what it looked like when NOT doing that, but that did give the option to NOT save settings.
 
N3IIG
GL-USB150 Software
Finally got it. I didn't know about the check box for the settings to be remembered when flashed so the password was the original as you suggested. That and a couple of other issues with the default name/password between the software and the resets as well as the ip address changes. It's up and running.
Thank you for your patience and input! Now I got it straight and can help others.
JIm - N3IIG

PS yes the mhss was a typo in the forum but had it right where it counted.
K6CCC
K6CCC's picture
Cool! Glad you got it.  
Cool!
Glad you got it.
 
kk6qms
kk6qms's picture
Are there basic setup
Are there basic setup instructions somewhere? I have it flashed but need help w RF/Wifi etc. Thx.
Clifford - KK6QMS
K5DLQ
K5DLQ's picture
The DOCS menu at the top of
The DOCS menu at the top of this website.....
kk6qms
kk6qms's picture
There is no info on the
There is no info on the USB150 in the docs.
K6CCC
K6CCC's picture
Clifford,  I am not aware of
Clifford,  I am not aware of specific instructions, but feel free to call me.  I use mine regularly and should be able to help.  As I recall, you have an AREDN phone..  I have two lines available.  The first is ext. 4179 on the Ventura County PBX. The second is ext. 6216 on the AI6BX PBX. This can also be reached via 909-6216 on the nationwide network. My phone can also be direct dialed via IP address of 10.4.158.45 from another VoIP phone on the AREDN network.
 
kk6qms
kk6qms's picture
Thx- but my phone is in Palm
Thx- but my phone is in Palm Springs and I never got it working. I am in NV for another couple weeks. Confused about the RF/Wifi settings.
Thx.
K6CCC
K6CCC's picture
Sent you a PM
I just sent you cell number in a direct message.
 
W2GMD
W2GMD's picture
For anyone who ends up on
For anyone who ends up on this thread (like me) after having flashed their USB150 and said "now how do I get into it?"

1) Flash a nighly sysupgrade build (as opposed to what you're used to with 'factory' on Ubiquiti devices).
2) Power-cycle (unplug and replug).
3) Press and hold the Reset button for ~10 seconds.
4) Connect to the admin page http://192.168.1.1 and setup your mesh node.

From there you should be good to go. I was stuck on #3 because I did not un-check the 'save settings' radio button before flashing, but this is a way around it.

 
WB5PJB
GL-USB150 Brief Notes

Using a USB port on a Windows 10 PC to setup the GL-USB150, everything worked according to the instructions, which gets you up to the point where you log into the AREDN node at 192.168.1.1.

Once the initial setup was done on the AREDN setup page at 192.168.1.1 and I went to save the changes (new password, node name, set distance to farthest neighbor, set channel width if different than the default 10 MHz, etc.), the unit rebooted automatically and at that point I could no longer access the GL-USB150 on the PC. The PC would not obtain an IP address in the 10.xxx.xxx.xxx range from the node after the node rebooted. I am not sure if there is something I needed to do to make that happen, but it wasn't a big deal because I could simply connect to the new GL-USB150 node from another AREDN node that was in the room (which had connected to the new node) and make any additional setup changes that I wanted, such as time zone, grid square, etc. And from there, all was set the way I wanted it and the GL-USB150 has worked with no issues.

I haven't seen any operational notes regarding the GL-USB150, but there isn't much to point out :). Just a note that there are two green LEDs on the GL-USB150 and the LED closest to the end will be lit when the GL-USB150 node has connected to at least one other node.

In the photo below, the node is plugged into a modest 8000 mAh cell phone power bank and it operated continuously for about 21 hours, so it can make for a very portable AREDN node that can run for quite a while on a good sized cell phone power bank. Put together a battery pack with a small solar cell and charge controller to keep the battery charged, and the little node could run for a very long time. Don't expect great range with the GL-USB150, but it could serve well in some niche applications.

73,
Gary, WB5PJB



 

Image Attachments: 
AJ6GZ
DHCP
From a command line window try: ipconfig /release ipconfig /renew Also recommeneded to close and re-open the browser at this step.
KD9KCK
Attach external antenna?
Just looking at the pictures I can see a uLF connector on it. I think you could possibly attach an external antenna to it.   

I am going to pick up one of these and a fully supported router to start up building a mesh in Chicago. 

(Going to use one of these to make managing the mesh easier from my laptop with out having to connect to the node over Ethernet.)
K9CQB
K9CQB's picture
You can attach a wfl connector in place of the w-test point
KD9KCK,
You can de-solder the w (micro-micro) test point connector and replace it with a wfl connector and add an RP-SMA to wfl connector pigtail. Or, as I will show in a later post, you can just direct solder an RP-SMA pigtail directly to the board where the w-test point connector used to be.
These are still low power SISO devices, but with an external directional antenna, you can reach out to 300 meters or more.

-Damon K9CQB
kk6qms
kk6qms's picture
status lights no longer display wifi status

The 2nd light used to show wifi status- but now it just stays off. Is this a setting? If not then I request the devs please re-implement that 2nd light for wifi status. It is very helpful feedback.

KJ7JJC
These are sold out or
These are sold out or discontinued. Does anyone know where to buy, or is there an alternative?
K6CCC
K6CCC's picture
You're right.  Everywhere I
You're right.  Everywhere I looked shows it sold out - including the GL iNet store.  I suspect it is discontinued...
As far as a replacement, I am not aware of one that small (I have one, it is nice).  There are a few quite small ones.  The GL iNet AR150 and 750 are both supported by AREDN - likey a few others.
 
AA7AU
AA7AU's picture
AR750 is my choice

I used to really love the MikroTik hapLite, but I have been totally won over by the AR750 - it is also a Swiss Army knife type device for mesh, using the various setting and options. Highly recommended. I have a smaller AR150 that I carry with one of my laptops as a quick tunnel out option but I still prefer the AR750. I replaced my old AirRouter at my QTH entrance point with an AR750 and have been extremely happy with it.

Yes I know none of these has the ease of the USB dongle but personally I don't need that ease.
YMMV,
- Don - AA7AU

nc8q
nc8q's picture
AR750 in lieu of hAP-lite/AirRouter/AR300M/AR150/USB150
Great gadget.
It is USB powered.
I often use it when tunneling home.
Not as many LAN ports as a hAP-lite, but more than an AR300M/AR150.
Chuck

 
K6CCC
K6CCC's picture
The AR750 does look nice.
The AR750 does look nice.  Just ordered one to play with.
 
AA7AU
AA7AU's picture
MULTI-use tool

I have three more 750s beyond my QTH central point 750 (with DTD to outside and lots of in/out *temp* tunnels available thru WAN).

I have a "portable" where I set one (normally 5G) radio for Client access to locally available WiFi and the other radio (normally 2G) as an access point for my devices. I can then turn on/off one of my out-going tunnels as needed for *temp* support/etc, but generally use the 750 as my travel firewall/router so no worries about what I'm connecting thru. My devices generally use ProtonVPN to connect thru for outside protection. Just plug that 750 into a small USB power source, login to it WiFi and config local WiFi creds, stick it in a corner someplace, and you're all set for however long you want. Takes the worry out of "being close" when traveling.

I also have two more 750s which I use as "rovers" for go-kits/projects/etc and tailor settings as needed. My old MikroTik is still valued, just not used much anymore as the (very nice feature) POE pass thru is more suited to formal go-kits and power is more of an issue with it.

Got most of the 750s when they were on sale last year at Amazon, so overall a great deal for me.

HTH,
- Don - AA7AU

KJ6GEU
USB-150 - forgot root password
Hi all -
I had set up one of these some time ago (flashed the AREDN firmware), but never really used it, and now I'd like to update it to the latest firmware version so as to start using it.  However, I've forgotten the root password so can't get into the Setup tab.  Is there any way to reset it, or do I have to flash it again, and if I do, how (can't revert to stock firmware and don't have the password for the AREDN firmware)?  Thanks!
73, Bob
K6CCC
K6CCC's picture
If the password is the AREDN
If the password is the AREDN default it's hsmm
If you changed it, obviously can't help with that.
Since you normally don't need a special flash procedure to install AREDN software in the USB150, you cna't just do that.  However here is a procedure that should help you out.  https://docs.gl-inet.com/en/3/troubleshooting/debrick/
 
KJ6GEU
USB-150 - forgot root password
@ K6CCC - thanks, that took care of it - latest AREDN firmware installed, seems to be working OK!

@K5DLQ - Ha!  Wish I'd have known that before but will file it for future reference - though this time, the root password is going into my password manager!

73,Bob
K6CCC
K6CCC's picture
 though this time, the root

 though this time, the root password is going into my password manager

Password Managers are very useful!  I have damn near everything in mine...
 
K5DLQ
K5DLQ's picture
additionally, with the node

additionally, with the node fully booted up....
hold the RESET button for 5 seconds.   It will reset the password to "hsmm" and enable DHCP and reboot.

https://arednmesh.readthedocs.io/en/latest/arednGettingStarted/advanced_...
 

w8erd
usb to rj45 adapter
Can the decice be made to work with an adapter?  I have tried, but it shows no power.
K6CCC
K6CCC's picture
Not likely your RJ-45 adapter

USB to RJ-45 adapter, likely not.  That adapter is presumably looking at the USB port to supply power to the adapter, not supply power to the USB port.  Unless I am not understanding what adapter you are talking about.  What is the power source?

The vast majority of the time, my USB150 is plugged into a USB wall wart adapter.  It sits there doing nothing but connected via RF to one of my hAPs so that I can upload Nightly firmware builds as they come out.  I take it with me for various events where it is usualy plugged into my laptop.

 

nc8q
nc8q's picture
Can the decice be made to work...
Hi, Bob:
 
 The USB150 device works when plugged into a USB port on a laptop or desktop.
How are you planning on using your USB150?

Chuck

 
w8erd
USB to RJ45
You are right. After further investigation, I come to this point.
USB has 4 pins, data +/-, and 5V power +/-.
RJ45 has 8 pins, of which only 4 are used for data.  Receive +/-, Transmit +/-.

5V power can easily be supplied by an external power supply.
But which of the 4 RJ45 data pins should be connected to the 2 USB date pins?

Bob W8ERD
nc8q
nc8q's picture
How are you planning on using your USB150?
How are you planning on using your USB150?
 
K6CCC
K6CCC's picture
None - at least directly.

But which of the 4 RJ45 data pins should be connected to the 2 USB date pins?


None - at least directly.  There is electronics in between the USB data and the Ethernet.  Completely different signals.

Tell us what the end result of what you are trying to accomplish, and we can far better figure out how to get there.

 

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