Hi ...
My apologies if I have missed this somewhere. I see the listing for the firmware on the Readme file under software, but I can't find the firmware file anywhere.
Can someone please give me a pointer as I have a GL-150 arriving Saturday. :)
Many thanks,
julie mcgrew
ac0wn
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GL-150 Firmware Location
Thu, 05/02/2019 - 19:51
#1
AC0WN
GL-150 Firmware Location
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You'll find it here:
http://downloads.arednmesh.org/snapshots/trunk/targets/ar71xx/generic/
Look for a file named: aredn-???-???????-gl-ar150-sysupgrade.bin
Andre
Is the GL-iNet AR-150 a current working AREDN device?
-Damon K9CQB
thank you first, i followed the instructions and loaded up an AR-150 only after bricking it once, restoring back to factory and AREDN one more time. Noticed your post was May 2, and went looking for a more current release, since they happen frequent as i understand, but not finding any.
any help appreciated. -- john KB4YFK
Here is the link for the current GL-AR150:
http://downloads.arednmesh.org/snapshots/trunk/targets/ar71xx/generic/ar...
The newest versoin can be found here:
http://downloads.arednmesh.org/snapshots/trunk/targets/ar71xx/generic/
*I would like to posit that the AR300M16 is a much better value than the AR150 and would encourage anybody reading this to prefer the AR300M16 for it's 2x2 MIMO capability. Sorry - just doing my best to inform on this important difference.
-Damon K9CQB
Here's the new link to the GL-AR150 .bin file:
http://downloads.arednmesh.org/snapshots/trunk/targets/ar71xx/generic/ar...
They just updated it as of this post (as I was posting it).
-Damon K9CQB
Damon, support for the AR-150 was put into the nightly build last night.
Orv W6BI
Special thanks to ZL2WRW, contributing the code to support the AR150. This 2 port device has one port configured for LAN and DtDLink, and another is a configured WAN port for only $25. With the small footprint, this device would be great to travel with and tunnel back to the home mesh.
Joe AE6XE
Folks,
Thank you for working on this. Special thanks to ZL2WRW. I was reading your guys' Github posts on this action. It was very exciting. I use these devices to host RTL-SDR's for a remote receiver so I'm very familiar with them. I'm going install the USB libraries (USB power is already on by default), shove an RTL-SDR in the USB port, and try using rtl_tcp on this AREDN device. While I'm on this point, why don't we have the AREDN FW include the standard USB libraries as a default? This would allow users to use a thumb-drive or other USB devices right off the bat.
I have my GL-AR150 up and running right now (see photos) so I will let you know how stable this is. I have iperfSpeed and Meshchat running on it right now. The AR150 is only a SISO device so I'll only use it for edge links. I prefer the AR300 as it has a true 2x2 MIMO radio (also has AREDN compatible chipset).
While we're talking about wish lists, I would love to port AREDN to the GL-iNet GL-USB150 Microuter. This has the same chip as the AR150 and nearly identical OpenWRT load (with same 16NOR/64RAM) and would be the first USB AREDN device. We could connect to our local AREDN network on channel -2 with just a little USB dongle:
https://amazon.com/GL-iNet-GL-USB150-Microuter/dp/B06XTXKRMY/
Just wishful thinking. Thank you so much for this work - you guys are amazing.
-Damon K9CQB
Damon, does the GL-USB150 have a reset button and accessible boot loader? I've not had a chance to dig into this device. A cursory inspection, I didn't find a button. The issue is if a sysupgrade process to load images (from openwrt to aredn, aredn to aredn, etc.) fails, then is there a way to recover?
It shows a reset on the side.
https://static.gl-inet.com/www/uploads/2017/07/USB150_microuter_instructions_web_20170704.pdf
Here is the pinout for the GL-USB150 (see attached photos - the bottom photo is the UART pads circled). It does have a reset switch and all kinds of other serial/uart and GPIO pins.
I find it much easier to remove the case before messing around with the Microuter.
On the GL-iNet forum someone said you have to 'force off' the case off and then use tape to keep it on after that - this has NOT been my experience. I use a guitar pick to separate the two halves and then they click back together nicely when I'm done.
As a side note: I'd like to point out the inverted F antenna in the photo. It's not a very good antenna, but you can still hit your links from over 100ft away. There is a way to add an external antenna by removing the micro test point connector and solder a tiny .wfl connector - requires good soldering skills - I'll post that later.
-Damon K9CQB
This should be a slam dunk to create an AREDN image. I'm off on vacation for a couple weeks, will see if I can fit in afterwards, unless someone beats me too it.
Joe AE6XE
should be in the build tomorrow...
Joe,
I am blown away. Thank you.
So now I can jam my AREDN USB into my laptop or even my smartphone (via an OTG cable) and hit any 2.4GHz AREDN node in range. This will be extremely convenient for some of us. Stay tuned for some photos of my GL-USB150 with some easy ways of making the the USB device's internal antenna have a more directional range. This is going to be fun.
On the GL-AR300 side, I sent you 2 different AR300's because there are 2 different versions. You should get them tomorrow.
The first one is the AR300M and it has 128MB NAND flash and 128MB RAM and it costs $45.
The second one is the AR300M16 and it has 16MB NOR Flash and 128MB RAM and it is $27.
I sent both just in case you need to make 2 different .bin's for them. I would rather only pay $27 if I can get away with 16MB of NOR Flash. After all, do we really need 128MB of NAND? Both of them have 128MB of RAM - that's all that matters, right?
-Damon K9CQB
So is the LAN brought in to the laptop as a virtual USB NIC? Brings up the question... how do we get a tunnel-on-a-stick? :) Or maybe tunnel-in-a-VM?
Anyone looked at the two Mikrotik mAP and mAP lite as similar devices?
Ian
Ian,
There's a Realtek USB to Ethernet chip built into the stick before it hits the Ethernet pins on the AR9331 chip. For those of us with no Ethernet ports on our laptop, this is a great tool.
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. Most OS's already have the driver built in (Linux, MAC, Windows). Once plugged in just treat it like the AR150 (minus the second LAN port).
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 Ethernet port and USB host port on the AR150). (see photos)
If you're traveling and you need to hit some AREDN nodes, this is a better option than the AR150.
-Damon K9CQB
Notice the difference (which one is easier to travel with):
Damon, I have a Raspberry Pi with several services and the microuter running as a mesh node (photo). I've reserved the DHCP IP address of the Rpi and added the advertised services to the microuter. The microuter itself can resolve the Rpi's hostname and other mesh nodes can see the microuter just fine. But other nodes cannot resolve the hostname of the Rpi so they cannot use the advertised services. I'm sure there's something I'm not seeing which would solve this issue. What am I overlooking that would provide mesh-wide name resolution for the Rpi and allow the services to be accessible across the mesh? THX
I can ssh to several nodes and nslookup successfully resolves the hostname of the Rpi. I can also ssh to the Rpi and nslookup successfully resolves the names of mesh nodes. However, when others click on the microuter's advertised services links they are still getting a Server Not Found message. Not sure why.
Apparently some computers/browsers on the mesh can get to the services. A few cannot, so the issue must be that the mesh-connected computer itself is not resolving the hostname. Will focus investigation on the computers' name resolution, since the mesh resolution seems to be working as designed. THX
Yes, the issue was at the remote computer end and had nothing to do with mesh name resolution. Everything is working exactly as designed. What a great way to deploy a portable 5v services node to any location where it's required. Thanks so much for all the effort on the USB150. Cool little device.
KC0EUW,
I'm glad you go this figured out. I never thought about this use-case for the Microuter. This would replace a whole laptop/node setup that we have when setting up tactical nets. That means I can use a smaller battery and it'll last much longer than a full-up Ubiquiti or MikroTik node w/laptop.
-Damon K9CQB
That's kinda what I was hoping... portable usb power brick + Rpi with microuter in a waterproof container and hoisted up high somewhere. Could provide good local coverage and then out onto the wider mesh through a relay node at the edge of the shelter/triage center/etc.
Damon, jumping on a plane to spain this morning, back the 16th. no hurry on the devices.
Gonna try and load mine tonight so I can test out tomorrow at a Mesh/RMS class in Hampton. Gonna try Iperl as well
Damon, if you have the AR300 in hand, I'll create an image to test on that one too, in a couple weeks or so. Still have the LHG 2GHz boards on the list to turn back to... Have time from end of May to wrestle these to the ground.
Joe AE6XE
Joe,
You're awesome. I'll send you an AR300 today. Obviously there is no hurry.
The LHG/LDF 2.4GHz boards are probably even higher priority to my guys as a few of the fellas have already bought LDF-2 and LHG-2 series devices.
I'll hit you on the side with shipment info on the AR300.
-Damon K9CQB
Thank you very much for the link. I'll report back any interesting findings. :)
73,
julie mcgrew
ac0wn
Loaded and ready to go.
Imagine the following scene: A trauma center uses a public park as a triage area to evaluate the injured. You have pre-loaded and configured a dozen or more USB150's. You sign them out to all who need access to the network via their own/company laptops.
Not only are these a great alternative to connecting via access point, each of these laptops become a mesh node within the park / triage area... extending the coverage area every time another person plugs one into their laptop.
Andre, K6AH
This is such a great idea that I'm going to ask our EOC if they can buy a bunch to use in the designated shelter areas and hospitals for connectivity. Wait until you see my Android phone with OTG cable rocking the USB150 doing all kinds of network related stuff and... Linphone VOIP calls to and from my Android phone directly from the AREDN network.
-Damon K9CQB
Ha! Hold-off buying more until I've had a chance to purchase some stock in that company ;-)
Could you use 2 of these, one wifi and the other aredn, connected together in a small box, to allow ANY cell phone to make Linphone calls?
Does the box already exist?
Bob W8ERD
Bob,
If you bought this Raspberry Pi Zero W kit with OTG cable (it's how you connect the GL-USB150), and then connect it to this PiSugar 1200mAh Pi-Zero kit, you will have a totally self enclosed AREDN to WiFi system that will run for about 6 hours on that battery. The Amazon page for the PiSugar battery has the downloadable STL file to print a case or you can just use shrink-wrap like us losers. You'll need a MicroSD card with your favorite OS, preferably an OS that allows you to run your WiFi easily as an access point. I use 'hostapd' on Jessie Linux.
Here are the links to get the PiZeroW and battery:
Argon Forty Raspberry Pi Zero W Barebones Kit (comes with OTG & HDMI cable) $22:
https://www.amazon.com/Raspberry-Zero-Argon-Forty-Barebones/dp/B075FRRVLR/
Pisugar Portable 1200 mAh Lithium Battery Power Module $34
https://www.amazon.com/Pisugar-Portable-Lithium-Raspberry-Accessories/dp...
AREDN thanks you for purchasing via our Amazon link! ;-)
https://amzn.to/2YjAnwM
Damon, my question would be what kind of duty cycle these little units can tolerate. Mine gets hot after just a short time online, but I haven't kept it connected to the mesh for days at a time.
I left mine running for 3 days, but there isn't hardly any traffic on my link.
If you're worried you can pop the case and stick a heat-sink from a RasPi kit on the AR9331 chip. Then you can cut a square hole it the case with an exacto knife where the heat-sink is and pop the case back on. The heat-sink with protrude about 1mm, but it's pretty cool looking and works great.
-Damon K9CQB
That's a great idea. Much appreciated!
Do i need an .elf file with the GL-USB150 .bin?
Is there a procedure for this device?
thanks
jeff
The USB150 comes with OpenWRT pre-installed. Simply use its administrative screen to upgrade to AREDN using the sysupgrade file. The only thing that's a bit wonky about it is it defaults to IP 192.168.8.1. The manufacturer's setup doc is pretty good though: https://docs.gl-inet.com/en/3/setup/microuter/first-time_setup/
Andre, K6AH
thanks,
I now have a GL-USB150 wifi network, and a southmesh-20-v3 cabled network showing on my Linux Mint, but neither i can connect to. They try then fail over to one of my other wifi networks. Both green lights are on the Microuter. I have removed and re-inserted. I have disabled wifi, and re-enabled.
jeff
In case anyone is wondering, the GL-USB150 power requirements appear to be running around .18A @ 5.03v = roughly averaging around 1 watt. I'll have some more long-term average load numbers measured over time tomorrow. Just programmed and fired up my first unit with minimal distress (Nightly 906). I did have to perform a "reset" after firmware load in order to regain control of the unit, which did return online as "NOCALL" on 192.168,1.1 and then able to finish the setup.
When you do the INITIAL load from OpenWRT to AREDN, you should UNCHECK the "Keep settings" option in OpenWRT.
I did get the firmware installed, but I have to hold reset for about 7 seconds and let it reboot, and I also have to disable and re-enable my wifi before I see "MeshNode2G".
I am then able to connect and see the normal "nocall", and it is waiting for me to do the setup.
I have tried this several times, entering the name and password, or sometimes just setting the password.
It then reboots to nowhere.
The "MeshNode2G" is not available, even if I disable and re-enable the wifi.
I again have to hold the reset for about 7 seconds, and the process starts all over.
I have tried holding the reset for 3 seconds but that doesn't seem to do anything.
I have tried removing the usb, and reinserting, no change.
Jeff
Perhaps enter node name and password and distance to farthest node.
I omitted setting a password on my first attempt and found the device
In nocall state on 192.168.8.1:8080. Then when you click save settings
It reboots on its own.
All was well with the usb dongle, but I didn't know it until i plugged it into a Windoze 10 computer, where it created "network 7" for me.
I plugged it back into my Mint computer, Right clicked the network icon, clicked on edit connections, and with the usb dongle inserted, i created a new connection that pointed to the unique name of the usb dongle , which in my case is enx00e04c360049.
Once that was done, and i verified it's IP4 was DHCP, then I just gave the connection a meaningful name, then connected to it.
jeff
Don't forget to disconnect both WiFi and cable networks on your laptop after "No Call" (First Run) and uncheck save settings box on the Administrative page, it will obtain the new 10.x.x.x after the reboot. You should see your other nodes if in range and on channel -2 @ 10MHz. as it's default setting. You may need to change yours to your network settings to match.
Denis KD1HA
I had uploaded ARDN image per instruction using the WEB interface. Now my device is not working. I get two green lights. No ipadress in my laptop either the LAN or WAN port. I try doing a reset and still no SSID or ether network address. Any ideas on recovery??
Sorry for the question. I want to let you all know I was able to fix my problem and I now have one AR-150 up and running. Thanks for the views.