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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."

51 of 131 comments (clear)

  1. Locustworld... by Crusty+Oldman · · Score: 5, Funny

    Locustworld just had a plague descend upon it.

  2. 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.
  3. What about me? by Ghoser777 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Matt PC? Have they ever considered Mike PC, or even Jennifer PC? I bet there are more Steve PC's than I can shake a stick at (and I can shake a stick at a lot of PCs!).

    This is the problem with Linux, always being targeted at the needs of a smallish audience.

    F-bacher

    --
    James Tiberius Kirk: "Spock, the women on your planet are logical. No other planet in the galaxy can make that claim."
  4. Speech by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    There's a big difference between "on sale" and "available".

    Learn it.

  5. No, Not Joe by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Joe PC would use Microsoft. Probably has a Dell, drinks Budwiser, watches wrasslin.

    This would be Timmy The Computer Hippie. He drinks Red Bull and builds his own boxen. He like to watch Friends and Ally McBeal.

  6. Joe PC by 56ker · · Score: 4, Insightful

    "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." I'm afraid Joe PC doesn't understand the words MeshAPs, turn-key, nodes, community mesh networks, auto-updating, auto-configuration and centralized management site. Are you sure this isn't aimed at the more computer literate user than Joe PC?

    --


    Video Game cheats, hints a
    1. Re:Joe PC by SirSlud · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Joe PC - With PC in his name. Which I assume means he likes PCs. And if he knows abit about PCs, and spends time with PCs, this might interest him.

      There's a reason they didn't use the name "abacus-granny".

      --
      "Old man yells at systemd"
  7. Mesh topology? How about cell topo? by Istealmymusic · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Wouldn't mesh be a slightly, ahem, wildly inaccurate description of the Linux Wi-Fi router which is featured in this Slashvertisement? Wi-Fi access points have limited range in the form of a spherical sphere, causing some but not complete overlap of all cells with all cells. I concede this Linux router should be referred to as a "Linux Wi-Fi Cell Topology Router", conforming with the conventional toplogy standards. My Linksys wired router is already labelled as topology: star, why should wireless be any indifferent to the canonical forms?

    --
    "The lesson to be learned is not to take the comments on slashdot too literally." --Vinnie Falco, BearShare
    1. Re:Mesh topology? How about cell topo? by glwtta · · Score: 5, Funny
      in the form of a spherical sphere

      My favourite kind of sphere ;)

      --
      sic transit gloria mundi
    2. 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".

      --
      Note to ACs: I usually delete AC replies without reading them. If you want to talk to me, log in.
    3. Re:Mesh topology? How about cell topo? by _ph1ux_ · · Score: 3, Interesting

      what is the range on these exactly. and how good is the signal - what type of penetration does it get.

      If I use this in my 5th floor apartment - how far will the signal be usable. What if i stick it on the roof of my building. What if I zip tie it to a phone pole outside my house?

      Can you answer these.... with real praactical answers?

    4. Re:Mesh topology? How about cell topo? by Dialithis · · Score: 3, Informative

      The answer depends on the antenna you hook up to it. With a good omnidirectional antenna on a mast on the roof you could well get a mile or so out of it.

      A directional antenna pointed at the park across the street from a 5th story window would work great.

  8. Setting this up on a linux server? by thinmac · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I can't find anything about it on their site, but I have a feeling the problem is me not finding it, not it not being there (assuming that sentence made any sense).
    Anyone know if you can run their software on an existing linux server? I'm using my linux gateway/firewall as my AP right now, but the new protocol looks like it could be a lot of fun. On their site, however, I can only find info about running it either on an access point or by booting off of a CD, which would kind of mess up all the other stuff I do on that machine. Anyone have any info on how to run it without booting off a removable disk?

    --
    Narrative
    1. Re:Setting this up on a linux server? by Gerry+Gleason · · Score: 2

      When I followed the link to "community mesh network", there were hardware and software links to the site, so I assume you can just get the software to set up your node. Of course this doesn't get interesting unless you have a handful of mesh node to connect with and create an extended network.

  9. commodity hardware by g4dget · · Score: 5, Interesting
    Here's the bits and pieces:
    • Motherboard and case from CaseOutlet.com; you get a choice of 533MHz or 800MHz, for about $200. Motherboard and CPU alone are $100.
    • CF-to-IDE adapter from various sources, for about $20
    • 32MB CF card for $15 (512M for about $175)
    • wireless PCI 802.11b adapter, for about $40
    Total cost: $275.

    This takes a few minutes to put together. You get a choice between 12V or 120V power supply.

    1. Re: commodity hardware by Greg+Lindahl · · Score: 2


      CF is really slow. If you actually use your laptop for anything but surfing pr0n, you probably don't want a CF solid state drive.

    2. Re: commodity hardware by Paul+Komarek · · Score: 2

      I believe that CF is particularly slow on writes, but not so bad on reads.

      -Paul Komarek

    3. 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.

      --

      You are in a twisty maze of processor lines, all alike.
      There is a lot of hype here.
    4. Re: commodity hardware by mr.+roboto · · Score: 2

      The iPod doesn't have a solid state hard drive. (That would be cool though, wouldn't it?)

    5. Re:commodity hardware by xercist · · Score: 2

      Allow me to be a little offtopic for a second, but where can you get this 12VDC power supply? I'm building a computer into my trunk to play my oggs, and inverting 12 to 120 just to go back to 12 seems inefficient. Alternatively, I've seen plans to build 12V ATX power supplies, but that means going all over to find parts and designing a pcb layout and etching etc etc etc etc. A nice 12VDC ATX power supply that doesn't cost more than the rest of the project combined would be really nice.

      --

      --
      grep "xercist" /dev/random ...you'll find me in there someday
    6. Re:commodity hardware by Jagasian · · Score: 2

      The Via Eden 533mhz x86 based platform goes for about $90. The Via Eden is the new popular inexpensive fanless platform. The VIA Eden has a built in CPU, video, audio, ethernet, usb, etc... Also, the VIA Eden is tiny tiny tiny. Great for little Linux projects.

      I am running a default Redhat desktop on it as we speak. Installed right out of the box.

    7. Re:commodity hardware by g4dget · · Score: 2

      Here:

      http://www.caseoutlet.com/NWPc/2677/itx2677.html

      Get the Eden 533MHz version for a fanless motherboard.

  10. What about bandwidth? by Loopy · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I only see one wireless NIC in it...how much good as a hub will it do after 10, 20 or 50 people start using it?

  11. system specs by ruiner5000 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I've been selling the same sort of MINI ITX boxes to quite a few people. There setup is based on the VIA 500MHz C3 model with Casetronic MINI ITX case with PCI riser. Not too shabby, although costs could be cut by using embedded memory onboard instead of using the compact flash to ide adapter. Now if VIA would get the DDR memory based Eden 2 out that would make a sweet little box.

    --
    ignorance is bliss. googlefiberatx.com
    1. Re:system specs by Jagasian · · Score: 2
      I would love to see highly specialized Via Eden platforms, for example:
      • Embed a TV Tuner Card, Disk-on-Chip, and RAM: would make for a great lowcost baseline Linux PVR platform
      • Embed a 4 port NIC, Disk-on-Chip, and RAM: would make for a great low cost Linux router, firewall, etc...

      RAM is cheap, so I don't know why they haven't embedded RAM on the motherboard like all the other devices, and the VIA EPIA Eden already has a place for a Disk-on-Chip, but the boards sold as of now don't have a DOC installed.

      Linux based PVR and Network devices can still be made using the Via Epia Eden by just adding a PCI TV Tuner, PCI NIC, etc... I have Linux installed on my Epia Eden. No fans, low power consumption... I leave it on all the time!
  12. 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!

  13. Re:Alternative Solution - HOWTO URL by PhotonSphere · · Score: 2

    Sorry about the URL for the HowTo. The correct URL is http://www.photonsphere.com/article.php?sid=186.

  14. you pay a premium for size by g4dget · · Score: 5, Interesting
    The Soekris motherboard costs $196, for a 133MHz 486. A Mini ITX motheboard with processor costs around $100, with your choice of 533MHz or 800MHz Pentium-compatible processor, plus a $20 CF-to-IDE adapter.

    The Soekris has a number of advantages, primarily that it's smaller and that it is happy with just 5V or 7-20V DC. But you pay a premium for those features, and you sacrifice functionality. The Mini ITX gives you a standard PCI slot, many more I/O options, much better performance, and more I/O ports.

    I think, given its functionality, the "value" of something like the Soekris 486 boards really "should be" around $50 these days, and that's what it probably would be if it really were manufactured in huge quantities. Does anybody know of a low-cost 486 PC104 board like that?

    1. Re:you pay a premium for size by Paul+Komarek · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Just to be picky:

      * "The Soekris motherboard costs $196" It's not a motherboard, it's a single board computer. You know that and I know that, but it makes a big difference for someone not familiar with the board.

      * The Mini-ITX stuff is very new, using very new technology, and I haven't seen one yet with three eth ifaces, two 'pci' slots (one mini-pci, one 3.3v pci), and two serial ports. One of the Soekris eth ifaces is net-bootable.

      * The Mini-ITX stuff is fanless, but still hotter than the Soekris. I expect the Mini-ITX stuff (esp. w/ enough gear to do what the net4501 does) draws a lot more power than the 0.06A at 120V during normal (not idle) operation. Of course, the cpu on the Mini-ITX stuff is much faster. That probably doesn't matter to the target market of the net4501, because of their applications (hardware-assisted vpn and other WAN routing/firewalling tasks).

      * Besides being smaller and lighter (as you mention), the net4501 runs cooler than the C3 and does not need a heat sink.

      * I wonder if the Soekris has been vibration tested and such. Since the Mini-ITX stuff requires assembly (cpu, heat sink, network cards, etc), it probably couldn't withstand much vibration without some ruggedizing.

      * You cannot find equivalent functionality to the net4501 for $50 anywhere (see my next paragraph =-). The net4501 is a bargain for the intended audience. And pc104 stuff is generally more expensive, because of the slightly more compact form factor and fancy i/o stuff.

      I've spent a *lot* of time looking for SBCs like the net4501 but less expensive. There aren't any (yet). That's why I've got a net4501 handling many of my gateway and network tasks. For another $100 or so dollars, you can get a nice 3-port 300MHz NatSemi Geode board from Acrosser (AR-B1550, fanless and very compact) that seems adequate for file serving, mail serving, and light web serving. As with the Soekris, I haven't found better prices on compact fanless SBCs anywhere.

      FWIW, the folks at Soekris and Acrosser are very pleasant to work with, and the user communities are nice.

      -Paul Komarek

    2. Re:you pay a premium for size by g4dget · · Score: 2
      I expect the Mini-ITX stuff (esp. w/ enough gear to do what the net4501 does) draws a lot more power than the 0.06A at 120V during normal (not idle) operation.

      The 533MHz supposedly consumes 1W, and the 800MHz 5W (I haven't measured it).

      The Mini-ITX stuff is very new, using very new technology

      I dunno--looks like pretty run-of-the-mill PC technology to me.

      with three eth ifaces, two 'pci' slots (one mini-pci, one 3.3v pci), and two serial ports

      Well, no, but it comes with single or dual regular PCI slots (depending on riser), dual USB, Ethernet, VGA, S-video, Audio, PS/2, and serial, probably a more useful collection for many applications.

    3. Re:you pay a premium for size by Paul+Komarek · · Score: 2

      My "new technology" comment was definitely off-base. I really meant that the C3 was very new.

      I'm not sure how to interpret the cpu power draw. I really want to know about system power, which is what I was measuring on the Soekris (with a regular VOM, not a power meter).

      I agree that many applications want "PC" ports. The Soekris isn't being marketed or sold into those markets. By the same token, the Mini-ITX C3 stuff is tremendous overkill for VPN WAN routers.

      The Mini-ITX stuff I've seen (not much, and only on the web) doesn't seem to have bios-over-serial and built-in net-booting, which are very nice (if not essential) for "embedded" operation.
      I noted that VIA's suggested power supplies either had fans, except for that TK fanless ATX supply (which costs $150). I'm using a wall brick for my net4501.

      I guess what I'm trying to say is that the price, power, and engineering considerations for a Mini-ITX system *must* include the net-booting eth card and other "accessories", the power supply that probably has moving parts, and the additional heat output.

      I think I may use a C3 system when I get around to my fanless mailserver and Zope box, and I'll be willing to pay for all the extra equipment (including that TK supply). But the C3 isn't needed for serving nfs at home or acting as a DSL firewall. Since I want my gateway, nfs server, and web server to run on separate cpus (admin and security reasons), I'm trying to by the least expensive box for each task. The net4501 ended up an excellent choice for my network tasks, including gateway, router, wireless router, and firewall.

      We're just thinking of different applications.

      -Paul Komarek

    4. Re:you pay a premium for size by g4dget · · Score: 3, Informative
      I noted that VIA's suggested power supplies either had fans, except for that TK fanless ATX supply (which costs $150). I'm using a wall brick for my net4501.

      There are cheap, wall-brick power supplies for these boards; the CaseOutlet cases come with one.

      Mini-ITX system *must* include the net-booting eth card and other "accessories", the power supply that probably has moving parts, and the additional heat output

      The onboard Ethernet net-boots; there isn't much else that you need, except maybe a $20 CF-to-IDE adapter.

    5. Re:you pay a premium for size by Paul+Komarek · · Score: 2

      Good to hear about the wall-brick PSUs for Mini-ITX systems; that TK fanless ATX psu is expensive. Also good about the net-booting.

      I would definitely miss the serial bios console. I say this as an admin of 7 headless macines (4 Alpha boxes, 2 x86, one net4501). It is a real pain to drag monitors around to back of racks when you need to fiddle with them. Not that the Soekris has it, but remote management consoles rock; even if the kernel wedges, you can still power cycle remotely.

      I'm really hoping you're going to reply with "such-and-such Mini-ITX board has a serial bios". If you tell me it has a remote management console, I'll know you're lying. =-)

      Let's do a comparison, then:

      Gateway, Router, Wirless Access Point, Firewall with DMZ iface (which is precisely why I bought a board with three ifaces):

      $232+shipping: Soekris net4501 with case and psu
      $60+shipping: D-Link DWL-520
      -------
      About $300.

      I'm using nfs root right now, but might use an 8MB cf card soon. I have two that came free with digital cameras, but new ones seem to be about $4.

      How much would a similar 3-iface Mini-ITX system cost? I'm not trying to prove anything here, just trying to find out if I should have waited before buying the Soekris setup for $300.

      -Paul Komarek.

    6. Re:you pay a premium for size by g4dget · · Score: 2
      Well, you can get full specs here:

      http://www.viavpsd.com/product/Download.jsp?mother boardId=21

      Note also the upcoming EPIA-M motherboard, which features USB2, FireWire, and 933MHz clock speed.

      As for serial consoles, it appears that the Linux Bios has been ported to it:

      http://www.trustytech.com/TMBM-MINI-ITX.htm

      That would not only give you serial console management, but also very fast Linux boots.

      How much would a similar 3-iface Mini-ITX system cost?

      Pretty much the same amount: motherboard, CPU, case, PCI riser, screws, cables, and brick power supply from CaseOutlet.com costs a little under $200. Add to that a $20 CF-to-IDE adapter and the DWL-520. If you want to use lower-cost 5 1/4" drives, you can get a slightly larger case for slightly more money.

      Another choice is the WalMart Linux PC, which appears to be using same motherboard, but for $228 also gives you a minitower, a CD-ROM drive, and a 10G disk, and perhaps more fans than you like.

    7. Re:you pay a premium for size by g4dget · · Score: 2

      Oh, sorry, I didn't see the "three interface" requirement. To add two more interfaces with the least amount of hassle, I'd still go with the CaseOutlet case and use USB Ethernet adapters. They are under $20 and USB powered. Some of the nicer ones (a little more expensive) are barely larger than a plug.

  15. commodity hardware by jonbrewer · · Score: 2

    CF-to-IDE adapter from various sources, for about $20

    If CF-to-IDE adapters are so cheap, why are the CF based solid state IDE hard disks so expensive!?! I've been waiting for Sandisk's 1GB 2.5" ide drive to come down under $500 so I can replace my laptop drive. It doesn't look like that will happen any time soon.

  16. A few minutes to put the hardware together, but... by aquarian · · Score: 2

    ...how long will it take you to configure the software, and test everything? Are all the big security holes plugged?

  17. Not cell, not star, but mesh by Gerry+Gleason · · Score: 4, Interesting
    Star is correct for the typical WiFi network with one or more wired APs and many leaf nodes. These nodes will connect to one another for routing exclusively through a wireless "mesh" of nodes, hence the name. This is a superset of cell topo where you hook up to wired base stations in a star topo, but you can be handed off while moving. Cell type handoff should be part of this type of network as well, but it will probably be controlled in the "client" node rather than being a function of the network as will cell phones.

    This is a very cool development, and I can't wait until a network develops in my neighborhood. I wonder how dense these things have to be to get good coverage in an urban environment?

    1. Re:Not cell, not star, but mesh by Lord+Prox · · Score: 2, Insightful

      This is a very cool development, and I can't wait until a network develops in my neighborhood

      I don't want to sound like i'm nagging or anything, but why wait. Take the init and plop one down yourself, tell everyone (well everyone that would want to know) and get the ball rolling yourself.

      karpe noctum

    2. Re:Not cell, not star, but mesh by Gerry+Gleason · · Score: 2
      Well, aside from budget considerations, I'm on a 'home' class DSL which makes even my in-house wired NAT box slightly grey, and I don't really want to push any legalities. I like that some people are pushing the envelope in these areas, but I want to stay within the lines on this.

      The right way to do this is with bandwidth cooperatives. You just need a couple of wired points in your mesh where you are licensed to share upstream bandwidth, then you can expand outward from those points. I can think of a number of interesting business plans to develop networks like this, and I might consider some of them in the context of an educational initiative I'm trying to get off the ground. OTOH, if someone else gets there first, I'd be perfectly happy to drop a few hundred and mount one of these boxes in my attic.

      It would have been even more useful in the first year or so of my DSL service when it was a bit unreliable. I'm sure that I would want to keep my DSL service in the near term until I have some confidence in the reliability of the mesh network. It sure would be nice if this kind of configuration was fully supported by the AP so that mesh traffic stays on the mesh, and both authorized wireless and wired nodes could be routed either through the mesh or a wired ISP connection.

  18. isn't this overkill? by jiminim · · Score: 5, Insightful

    500MHz and 128MB RAM?

    My own version of this that I built last year mostly out of parts I had laying around when I was too cheap to buy a real ap:
    66MHz Pentium w/ small AT Mobo
    32MB RAM
    AT P/S
    Floppy
    ISA to ribbon cable to nice 2 card PCMCIA socket ($5 from ebay +$5s/h)
    Orinoco card ($60)
    WRP on a floppy from nocat.net
    random Intel PCI NIC

    This little baby, named Gates, ran faithfully for about six months until my roommate finally got a real ap.

  19. What's in it for me? by NKJensen · · Score: 3, Interesting

    It seems to be a parallel Internet on the air.

    IP range 1.x.y.z and no routing to/from the "old" internet.

    Can any gurus out there tell me about possible uses for this?

    Can I E-mail anyone on the old Internet from this new user-driven, no-subnet, free net?

    --
    -- From Denmark
    1. Re:What's in it for me? by NKJensen · · Score: 2

      Yes, I've got a private IP space on my side of the ADSL router, I've got. And since the router has a public IP on the other side, it's useful.

      This new parallel Internet on the other hand, it's got no public routeable IP numbers, right? Hence it must forever stay a parallel network.

      Won't this new network stay pretty useless until content providers start making contents available on the new network?

      Btw, dont talk about drugs as if using them was normal. It's not.

      --
      -- From Denmark
    2. Re:What's in it for me? by malakai · · Score: 2

      This isn't a flame. But, your question is maybe to 'basic' for even the FAQ. When we talk about building a wireless Internet In The Sky via mesh configuration of multiple Access Providers, we inherently assume people understand the point of this is to access the "Internet" as we know it.

      It's true however, that if noone had a true net connection, a mesh/web could be "off-line" to the internet (yet still function if you were trying to contact someone else in your web... if you happened to know their private IP.).

      It's also true, that if this eventually takes off, and the density of AP's increase (and the technology continues to get better) such a mesh may become more of the 'default' "Internet" than the hard-wired one we use now. Granted, that's pie-in-the-sky thinking, and 5 years away.

      -malakai

      --
      -Malakai
      A Dragon Lives in my Garage
    3. Re:What's in it for me? by rusty0101 · · Score: 2

      If your ADSL router stops routing, your internal private IP network will remain a parallel network until your ADSL router is brought back up.

      Your ADSL router provides either IP Masqurading, or IP NAT features for your internal network. The mesh network gateways will provide the same capabilities. If you connect to the mesh before the AP that you use establishes a connection to a gateway, your host will connect through to the internet (once the gateway has been propigated) through a proxy service running on the AP that you connect to.

      I did not see any handoff protocols specified (for mobile users with iPaqs, Zaurus and laptop users who do move around.) in the document, however it is possible that was specified in one of the protocols identified, and just not highlighted.

      After all, I could be wrong.

      -Rusty

      --
      You never know...
  20. Re:Heh heh heh by NKJensen · · Score: 2

    Mozilla users can turn those off. Neat!

    --
    -- From Denmark
  21. 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.)

  22. What is a "Community Mesh"? by foofboy · · Score: 2, Interesting

    There's a documentation download link here, but it doesn't seem to work. I'm baffled. Everyone is discussing it as though it were a wireless internet access route, but the Newbie Quick Start only mentions cell phone text messaging. What the hell is it, and what is it supposed to do? Is "Locust" a particular "Community Mesh Network"? Is a "Community Mesh Network" an architecture making use of standard protocols? What services does a Community Mesh Network offer? Are the any Community Mesh users or admins who can speak up?

  23. RTFM - here it is. by NKJensen · · Score: 2

    It is a MS Word document, but this answers my own questions

    --
    -- From Denmark
  24. Re:Soft-mesh? by kableh · · Score: 2

    Yup, that's more or less what my company does. We have a software product that sits on top of 802.11 cards and allows you to hop through other users back to our AP.

    We've deployed it around the office and it is suprisingly effective. Multihopping also gives you other benefits, like better throughput. For example, instead of communicating directly with an AP at 5 Mbps, you can hop at 11Mbps and get double the throughput.

    It really is cool stuff, but it isnt as open as this Locustworld stuff. Each has their place though.

  25. Re:Soft-mesh? by kableh · · Score: 2

    Its shipping as I type this. I think a lot of people are just confused about what products we have. The soft client that works on any 802.11b card has been available for months now, but it didn't work as well as we had hoped. It took months to get access to a real miniport SDK from the 802.11 vendor we wanted to use, but that step was necessary to get access to the 802.11 card at a low level, essential for doing the routing algorithms we do. The product that we have now was available to a select few clients, who were presumably under NDA. Its shipping, but it is pricey, since we arent exactly building big lots of this stuff.

    And that is the problem. We never intended to manufacture this stuff, rather we were supposed to license it to manufacturers. Things have changed as of late, and now we're shipping product.

    The other product line is a proprietary chip, which we've had for months, but haven't been selling in volume. The chip is dirt cheap, but the supporting PC card board is costly for us to make, and consequently, the cards are ridiculously expensive.

    And I'm good friends with our sales guys. I find it hard to believe they weren't itching to selling it to ya =). Mail em, sales at meshnetworks dot com.