Hi Guys;

Got both routers Linksys Wrt54G converted and running with the new firmware 1.0, asigned callsigns Kp4rv-1 and kp4rv-2 hitted mesh status at the menu, from kp4rv-1 and saw the other node kp4rv-2, How is connect the other node and be able to communicate with it, I do not see like a area to have a contact keyboard to Keyboard, I'm a little lost or confused, somebody let me know how works?

God Bless!

KP4RV - Rafael

Puerto Rico 

Greetings! Think of the connection between the two nodes as a road you just built. It's a really nice road but you can't really use it without a vehicle, right? Additional software is required to add functions to your new mesh. Each of these in the below list have instructions, normally found on their respective websites.

Teamspeak 3: voice and text based chatting, requires server and client

IRC: Text based chat, requires server and client

Asterisk: IP Phone server, requires server and an IP phone handset for each node that desires access to the service.

The mesh is a very capable network, though how you use it depends on the services you install.

I'm going to step in here and I hope Glen doesn't mind.

I've only heard of HSMM-Mesh for about a month now. I saw that behemoth of an e-book and agree with one of the other posters that I do not learn that way either. One attribute that I do possess is a fundamental knowledge of network topology.

Soooo.......  If reading a 500 page e-book is not your, thing you could always do what I did. Grab a few routers (nodes), and upgrade the firmware, then pick up a couple of cheap/obsolete/antiquated computers or laptops and plug them into each node in a testbed environment.

The first thing I did was to install mumble (murmur) one one of the systems to act as a voice chat server and then the client on both of the computers. WALA!! instant voice chat.

I've recently come across a HOW-TO on creating a VoIP phone system that would run on a node and act as a "Central Control". Once I get a node configured to handle that I'll download some softphone software to act as the VoIP clients. Eventually I'll probably purchase some actual VoIP phones to use instead of the sotfphones.

I'm sure every Ham Club has a handful of guys/gals who have above average technical knowledge in regards to computers and computer networking. Solicit the help of these people. Get a couple of nodes connected, show them what you have and ask them what kind of resources they think could be provided over the MESH. This will not only get you some technical expertise that a single person may not possess, but it will also get other people involved in establishing nodes in your area.

I am fortunate, I have a few other Hams in my area that are interested in this project. Between the four of us, we all have some computer network knowledge/experience. We also understand that before trying to establish the application (ie. software) side. We need to solidify the network infrastructure. It does no good to build an elaborate house when the foundation is made of sand. We are looking into establishing some VPN tunnels (There is a HOW-To on this site) to help connect the guys who are out of reach, we are trying to get some locations with height to help increase the coverage area, and we are trying to show some of the other Hams in the area some of the future benefits of having a MESH network.

For those wanting to have "something" running on their network right off the bat. Set up a Mumble server for voice chat and look through the forums for a HOW-TO on creating a HAMChat node for text based communications. For experimentation purposes you could always pick up a couple of IP Cameras and set one of the node computers to act as the camera server and have the cameras on a couple of other nodes. If you know of a Ham who has a little web development experience you could take an old Pentium 4 machine and turn it into a web server for the MESH. This would in effect be a IntraMesh Website.

With a solid node-to-node connection, just about anything you can do over a traditional computer network, you can do over a MESH Network. You just need to know what resources you want to provide.

Just my 2 cents here.

73's

Jess

KC9QEA

One other resource to remember is the Elmer's List on here. (Look on the left menu once logged in).