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Backup WiFi link mode?

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W1DGS
Backup WiFi link mode?
Hello,
I'm new to AREDN after doing research into Broadband Hamnet and finding it less than ideal for what I'm interested in.
My goals with AREDN are to join the mesh, of course, but also to make a direct data link between two relatively close locations, for example to provide remote access to files and provide Part 97 compliant internet service to one of these locations which is prone to short term outages. 

My question is whether or not this is something others have done and I am seeking recommendations. Currently, based on price and my goals, I have found Ubiquity LiteBeam M5's to be my hardware of choice, based on the awesome amount of documentation available on this site. One thing I can't find, however, is if the AREDN firmware can support working in a standard WiFi mode without the need for fancy features as a backup for extended outages or non Part 97 compliant internet service, like encrypted data. 

Thanks for all your help!

73s,
W1DGS
kc8ufv
kc8ufv's picture
AREDN is designed to put the
AREDN is designed to put the radio into Ad-Hoc mode to transfer the data and form a mesh, as opposed to infrastructure mode, where you have a central access point station and one or more client stations. By default, AREDN doesn't do any content filtering, such as blocking encryption, although that is available as an add-on. Also by default, it doesn't share the internet connection to the mesh, although that can be turned on with a single checkmark. AREDN firmware also will NOT use enryption on the links themselves, as it is designed for amateur radio. 

If you are simply trying to get internet from one building to another possibly with some significant distance between, I'd recommend either stock firmware, or the upstream OpenWRT/LEDE firmware. I've installed that type of setup several times, often for people who aren't even hams, and it works great. 
W1DGS
I'm just curious if AREDN

I'm just curious if AREDN firmware is capable of working as a standard WiFi link as a backup, for the rare occasions that it might be useful. I'm asking because Broadband Hamnet has this mode available as a very limited function WiFi link for this purpose. The primary purpose of the link is to expand the net and attempt to connect one of these end points to another node I've seen on the map.

After establishing the AREDN link, I may create another link with the same firmware but on another band to create a WiFi link, depending on how it works out.

AE6XE
AE6XE's picture
To configure an AREDN node to

To configure an AREDN node to be an AP, go into basic setup and disable "mesh RF".  Then look for an option to become visible and turn on "LAN AP".    A typical scenario would be a Nanostation 5Ghz device with wifi sector coverage for the local area.  Typical client devices laptops, cell phones, tablets, etc.  connect to the AP no different than a typical home wifi.   Then, "dtdlink" this nanostation to a P2P dish towards the direction of the AREDN internet gateway.   If the purpose is to have full internet access, then you can still use AREDN firmware, but suggest to operate under and use the part 15 unlicensed channels.   

Part 97 rules aren't yet caught up to deal with modern data communication concerns of today. 

 

W1DGS
Thank you so much! I'm still
Thank you so much! I'm still very new to AREDN and still learning a lot. Broadband-Hamnet was so interesting to research and when I found out about this platform I jumped on it to dig in and learn more. I'll make a note to transition to Part 15 frequencies should I have to enable this. If this wasn't going to be a possibility, I may have set up two separate links between the two locations, which would've doubled the cost. 
AE6XE
AE6XE's picture
Originally a mesh node with
Originally a mesh node with broadband hamnet era firmware could only be a mesh node, wifi AP, or wifi client -- set the desired mode, reboot, and that's only what it could do, one at a time.    With AREDN the firmware has evolved so that we can do all these modes all at the same time.   For example, a device with 2 radios like the hAP ac lite, can have the 5 Ghz be a LAN AP, the 2GHz be a WAN wifi client, and then using dtdlink for a connection to the greater mesh network.    All 3 modes in use all at the same time.

Joe AE6XE

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