Creating a Community owned Mesh network with
Linksys WRT56G routers

This could be used to provide free internet
and ip phones in Montreal...

I just need to setup enough of these...

What is a MeSH Network

Source: WiKiPedia

Setup Mesh

Step 1: Configure the routers

Configure the routers (at least 3) as described above.

Use the Range calculator to determine power requirements.

Step 2: Document

• On all routers put a sticker with the ID (IP address + SSID)
• Make a list of ID's together with the Wireless LAN (WLAN) MAC addresses
• Get a map of the area in which the mesh will be created

Ste 3: Mount the routers

Mount all routers to buildings in the area and note the location and ID on the map. Take the following into account when deciding where to place routers:

• the building/room should have a need for wired internet connection. note that wireless connection will be anyway available throughout the mesh area. Hubs and together with CAT-5 cable can extend the wired connectivity in the building. 
• the building/room should not be to far from the nearest router in the mesh to ensure good link quality,
• the building/room should not be to near to the nearest router in the mesh to prevent excessive interference between the routers
• the routers should not be placed near equipment as air conditioners and micro ovens. Metal objects in the construction should be avoided, windows are nice for propagation!  

Step 4: Check configuration

Once mounted, check the configuration of all routers, ensure that all settings are correct, and modify were required.

• use a laptop with wireless card and a web browser to log into the DD-WRT configuration of the router. 

• Set your IP address and subnet manually if the router has not yet a connection to the DHCP server. Otherwise, leave it on "obtain automatically".

• Perform a  scan with your wireless card, connect to the SSID in question and type the IP address of the router in your web browser. You might want to use ipconfig in the cmd windows and ping the router to check the connection.

• verify that the password has been set correctly

• verify that the IP address matches the SSID and the LinkNet ID and verify that the WLAN MAC address corresponds to that one on your list.

• verify that connection type is set to disable, STP is enabled, that DHCP type is set to DHCP forwarder, and that the firewall is disabled.

• disable the option lazy wds in de WDS configuration. As this was enabled by default, we have to make sure this is manually disabled on all routers!

• optionally, you may want to configure the disabled WAN port as a fifth LAN port for extra wired pc's.

Step 5: Assign neighbour

While logged in on the router, assign the neighbors for each mesh router by setting the WLAN MAC addresses in the WDS configuration.

• With the help of your map you can find the neighbors for each router. Choose 3-4 buildings directly next to the building in question.

• Verify that the router can actually receive the chosen neighbors by clicking  site survey  in the wireless tab under status. The results from site survey should be leading!

• Enter the WLAN MAC address for every neighbor in the WDS tab and set disabled to LAN. Entering the ID (e.g. 2.30) in the field directly after the MAC address is very useful for later tweaking and troubleshooting!

Step 6: Check connectivity

Check the connectivity in your mesh by connecting to the internet from all routers, see if you get a IP address from the DHCP server and see if you can browse.  Check the performance e.g. by pinging your gateway (more advanced methods giving you insight in the routes in your mesh is still to be found).

Flashing the firmware

1. Connect your PC with the .bin file to the router via an Ethernet cable. Do not try to flash the firmware through a wireless link, which could be unstable and lead to a brick.
2. Reset your router’s current firmware to factory defaults. You can do this through the current firmware’s configuration pages – Administration/Factory Defaults/Yes/Save Settings. As an alternative, you can physically reset the factory defaults by pressing and holding the reset button on the back of the router for 30 seconds.
3. Now you can flash the new firmware. Connect to the router’s configuration pages with your browser, and navigate to Administration/Firmware Upgrade. Open the browse dialog to select your .bin firmware file.

4. Once you start the firmware upgrade – do nothing and wait for the process to complete. 
5. After about a minute you will see the upgrade progress bar complete. The router will now reset itself, and assuming everything worked, you’ll see a new page with a button marked Continue.
6. Wait at least two more minutes before clicking the Continue button. Sometimes the router presents the continue screen before it has truly cleaned up from its upgrade.
7. Click Continue. You should be forwarded to the main configuration page for your router.