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πŸš€ Getting Started with Mesh Networking

Welcome to SD-OpenMesh! This guide will help you set up your mesh network node and connect to the global community.

  1. Choose Your Hardware β€” Select a compatible router. See the Hardware section below.
  2. Install Firmware β€” Flash your device with LibreMesh or OpenWRT. Both are free and open-source.
  3. Configure Your Node β€” Use our Config Generator to create your device configuration.
  4. Connect to the Mesh β€” Your node will automatically discover nearby mesh nodes.
  5. Register on the Map β€” Add your hotspot to the global map so others can find and connect to it.

πŸ”§ Hardware Recommendations

Any device that supports OpenWRT/LibreMesh can be used. Here are the recommended options:

Use CaseDeviceCost
Best All-RoundLibreRouter$50–150
BudgetTP-Link WR841N/941ND$30–50
Long RangeUbiquiti NanoStation M2/M5$80–150
ExperimentalRaspberry Pi 5 + USB WiFi$50–80
High PerformanceMikroTik / UniFi$100–300
Off-Grid CommsMeshtastic (LoRa)$30–60

Key Tip: Use devices with multiple radios (one for mesh backhaul, one for client access) to avoid halving bandwidth.

βš™οΈ Configuration Guide

Use our Config Generator to auto-create configuration files for your device:

  • Ubiquiti Airmax β€” JSON config for NanoStation, Rocket, PowerBeam.
  • OpenWRT UCI Script β€” Shell script with all UCI commands.
  • LibreMesh Profile β€” Community network configuration file.
  • Universal Guide β€” Plain text instructions for any device.

Mesh Configuration Generator

Generate ready-to-use configuration files for your mesh device.

All nodes must share the same SSID
Limits each connected client's speed in Mbps

πŸ”— Connecting to the Mesh

Once your device is configured, it will automatically discover and connect to nearby mesh nodes. Here's how to verify:

Check Mesh Status (OpenWRT)

# Check connected neighbors
batctl o

# Check mesh nodes
batctl n

# Check mesh originators
batctl originators

# Check interface status
iwconfig wlan0

Verify Connectivity

# Ping another node on the mesh
ping 10.x.x.x

# Check internet access
ping 8.8.8.8

# Check DNS
nslookup google.com

Tip: If you don't see neighbors within a few minutes, check that all nodes use the same mesh SSID and frequency.

πŸ“‘ Adding Access Points

Access Points allow other devices (phones, laptops) to connect to your mesh node.

Creating a Public AP

# OpenWRT: Create a public AP interface
uci set wireless.@wifi-iface[1]=wifi-iface
uci set wireless.@wifi-iface[1].device=radio0
uci set wireless.@wifi-iface[1].mode=ap
uci set wireless.@wifi-iface[1].ssid='SD-OpenMesh-Public'
uci set wireless.@wifi-iface[1].encryption=none
uci set wireless.@wifi-iface[1].isolate=1
uci commit wireless
wifi

Bandwidth Management

# Limit each client to 5 Mbps
tc qdisc add dev wlan1 root tbf rate 5mbit burst 32kbit latency 400ms

After setting up your AP, register it on the map so the community knows about it.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What is a mesh network?

A mesh network is a group of devices that connect directly to each other, forming a distributed network without needing a central router. Each node forwards data to others, creating a resilient, self-healing network.

How much does it cost to join?

Joining SD-OpenMesh is free. You only need to purchase a compatible router ($30-150) and optionally an internet connection (4G/Starlink/fiber) to share.

Do I need technical skills?

Basic networking knowledge helps. The Config Generator provides ready-to-use configs, and the community is happy to help!

What range can I expect?

Range varies by hardware: 100m-300m with standard routers, 500m-1km+ with directional antennas. Line of sight is key for long-range links.

Is my data secure?

Public mesh traffic can be seen by other nodes. Always use HTTPS (SSL) for sensitive data. You can set up encrypted tunnels (VPN/WireGuard) for private traffic.

Can I use this with Starlink?

Yes! Starlink works great as an internet backhaul for mesh nodes, especially in rural/remote areas.

πŸ’‘ Understanding the Map Interface

The interactive map is your window into the global mesh network.

  • Green markers 🟒 β€” Active hotspots that are verified and online.
  • Yellow markers 🟑 β€” Pending hotspots awaiting admin review.
  • Red markers πŸ”΄ β€” Inactive or reported offline.
  • Blue markers πŸ”΅ β€” Under maintenance.
  • Grey markers βšͺ β€” Deprecated or no longer in service.

Click any marker to see details: name, status, sports/activities, last checked time, and comments. Zoom in to see individual markers; zoom out to see clustered groups.

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