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Embedded Linux Wi-Fi Mesh Router On Sale

Posted by timothy on from the plug-and-run-fast dept.

juxter writes "Following the announcement earlier this month, LocustWorld are now selling pre-built hardware MeshAPs for use as instant turn-key nodes in community mesh networks. (pictures here) - Featuring auto-updating and auto-configuration via a centralized management site, these are designed with 'Joe PC' in mind."

5 of 131 comments (clear)

  1. Will find cache for karma by Greedo · · Score: 5, Informative

    LocustWorld seems to be down, so here's the Google cache.

    I'm such a whore.

    --
    Tuus crepidae innexilis sunt.
  2. Alternative Solution by PhotonSphere · · Score: 5, Informative

    The wireless group in Houston is building even smaller boxes that are capable of doing everything that this box does. A HOWTO is being assembled here. They are using the Soekris Net4501 in combination with the DWL-520 802.11b PCI card to run Linux and push HostAP and NoCatAuth. The Soekris comes with 3 NICs and no moving parts!

  3. Re:Mesh topology? How about cell topo? by swillden · · Score: 4, Informative
    There's a difference, and it's an important one: Most cells are essentially standalone. That is, each cell handles communications within its boundaries and really only communicates with other cells to manage handoff, if they even talk that much.

    In this case, the "cells" communicate with each other intensively, because most of them have no Internet connection at all. They pass packets from AP to AP until they arrive at one that can actually forward them onto the Net.

    Thus, these access points do merge together into a seamless communications transport that seems worthy of the name "mesh".

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  4. Re: commodity hardware by ColaMan · · Score: 4, Informative

    CompactFlash already has an IDE interface - the adaptor is merely to convert teeny-CompactFlash-pins to your normal 40 pin IDE

    The reason that CF-based IDE drives are so expensive is that Flash memory is expensive to manufacture.

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    You are in a twisty maze of processor lines, all alike.
    There is a lot of hype here.
  5. Is it a true AP? by roybadami · · Score: 4, Informative

    Given that they used the linux-wlan drivers, I suspect that this isn't a true AP (running in BSS mode), unless support for this is now in linux-wlan (they do say they use bleeding edge drivers).

    Given they use Prism II hardware, I don't understand why they don't use the hostap drivers.

    BSS mode has scalability advantages, because it solves the 'hidden sender' problem. ie even though 802.11 nodes always listen to check that the channel is clear before sending, there is a danger that two nodes at opposite extremes won't be able to hear each other, and will try to send at the same time, resulting in collisions. A true AP, running in BSS mode, helps aleviate this problem.)