I'm currently using two of my M2s as APs but think I could put them to better use as Mesh Nodes if the Air Routers would work as APs. I don't have the Air Routers yet. I would like to use them as APs to get onto the Mesh. Will this work?
Thanks Gordon
Thanks Gordon
Any AP of any manufacture can be plugged into a mesh node and allow access.
1.)Can the Air Routers be flashed with AREDN firmware?
2.) If they can be flashed with AREDN firmware, what happens to the WiFi? Does it become a mesh node or is it still a WiFi AP or is it unused?
thanks
When loaded with AREDN firmware, you can think of an AirRouter as the combination of an M2 Bullet and a smart switch. We have preconfigured the ports for you as a convenience: 1-3 are LAN and 4 is DTD (WAN is Internet). The former WiFi becomes a 2.4GHz mesh node.
Andre, K6AH
I just find it very convenient to be able to get onto the Mesh with Androids and Laptops by using wifi instead of a cable.
thanks
The AirGateway is a convenient and inexpensive wifi alternative, but frankly, I'd use your favorite wifi router. Some have complained about the configuration interface of the AirGateway... and I agree it's less than perfect.
And yes, adding a wifi router also offers the benefit of NAT'ing to a much larger address pool.
Hi Andre, if I flash an AirRouter with AREDN (we'll call it kd8txw-01) and change a Netgear N600 to AP mode (we'll call it kd8txw-AP) how do I then attach kd8txw-AP router to kd8txw-01 in order to get on the mesh network via WiFi through kd8txw-AP?
Is it WAN on kd8txw-AP connected to LAN port (1,2,or3) on kd8txw-01?
Are there any other settings I have to change?
Thanks
Links I've found for changing routers to APs
https://kb.netgear.com/20927/How-do-I-change-my-NETGEAR-router-to-AP-mode-after-I-ve-already-run-setup
https://www.linksys.com/us/support-article?articleNum=136548
http://www.wikihow.com/Convert-Linksys-WRT54G-to-Be-an-Access-Point
Andre, K6AH
Ok- that sounds like a good idea. I received the 2 AirRouters today and I think I will make them both APs and not flash the AREDN firmware into them. And also change the Netgear N600 to AP mode. Then at two of my permanent Mesh Node locations I can have APs and also on one of my portable Mesh Nodes.
That will leave the other 2 Mesh Nodes for portable use. (I put the portables in a plastic ammo can with a 7AH 12V battery for a grab and go option.)
thanks again
Andre, K6AH
First a little background. I already had 3 Loco M2s, 1 Nano M2 and 1 Airgrid. I bought these when BBHN was moving to Ubiquiti equipment.
My 40 acres* (1/4 mile x 1/4 mile) is remote and in an area with no other Mesh activity. I'm setting up a system to demo the capability.
In opposite corners of the property I have a cabin and a pole barn (future house site). I 'm going to place my Airgrid on the pole barn and my Nano M2 on the cabin. The buildings are 1300 ft apart. My pole barn is close to being the highest point in my township.
I'm going to set the 3 Locos up with a 7AH 12V battery in plastic ammo cans. These 3 nodes will be portable.
Yesterday I received 2 AirRouters. Prior to purchasing them I was looking at what I could purchase that would provide me with a switch and WiFi APs at the cabin and at the pole barn. For $35 each the AirRouter looked like a good deal. Plus it gives me the flexibility to convert them to AREDN Mesh nodes in the future if the local hams decide they want to pursue a Mesh Network approach for EMCOMM. In that case I can move the AirGrid and Nano to a tower at the pole barn and cover a large area.
So that's my logic- put it up, talk it up, demo it, scale it up :)
BTW- I'm not an IT guy, I'm just trying to figure this stuff out at a basic level. If you look at my equipment list and have a better approach please let me know. All suggestions are welcome.
73 kd8txw
Gordon
*It's a great site for next years Field Day and my goal is to be ready to demo the AREDN Mesh Network.
Upon further reflection- I decided to flash the AirRouters and make them AREDN nodes. I then put one of them in an plastic ammo box along with a 12V 7AH battery. I wired up a 12V to 5V converter to power the AirRouter. I used a USB to Ethernet adapter to connect my 10" windows 10 tablet. Now I have this very portable mesh node. It makes a nice little set up.
AirRouter- https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-AirRouter-802-11g-Featuring-AirOS/dp/B004EFLMAE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1505128850&sr=8-2&keywords=airrouter
ammo box- https://www.walmart.com/ip/Plano-131248-Black-Tactical-Custom-Ammo-Box-Hard-Case-11-625-x-5-125-x-7-125/45212029
12v to 5v converter- https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CXKBJI2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Ethernet to USB adapter- https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00484IEJS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
RCA 10" 2 in 1 PC- https://www.amazon.com/Cambio-Windows-Touchscreen-Computer-Bluetooth/dp/B0188MSALC/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1505129235&sr=8-4&keywords=rca+cambio
Thanks for all the comments and feedback!