Offline networking - Revision history

Julian: /* Meshtastic */

2024-12-02T03:02:14Z

Meshtastic

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:02, 2 December 2024
Line 63:		Line 63:
	=== Meshtastic ===		=== Meshtastic ===

	The Meshtastic project is a unique LoRa implementation with a very large global community of user-operated mesh nodes. This consumer-facing solution provides a modular platform ~~whereby LoRa~~ hardware~~, battery, and case and antenna are purchased, a web-based flasher~~ is ~~used~~ to ~~deploy the software onto the hardware~~. Various interfaces to the hardware (including apps and web-based) are provided~~. Meshtastic can be a good solution for resilient communications, especially for those less technical~~. Setup and configuration is done on a smartphone via an app, and requires little-to-no prior knowledge. A large community exists to support those ~~less technical~~.		The Meshtastic project is a unique LoRa implementation with a very large global community of user-operated mesh nodes. This consumer-facing solution provides a modular platform with broad selection of hardware options that is easy to get up and running for those less technical. Various interfaces to the hardware (including apps and web-based) are provided. Setup and configuration is done on a smartphone via an app over bluetooth, and requires little-to-no prior knowledge. A large community exists to support those in need of help.

	Meshtastic leverages the fact that people are often already carrying smartphones, allowing messages to be sent from a paired smartphone over bluetooth to the device, the messages of which are in turn either broadcast to a public channel on the mesh, or to a user-configured encrypted channel of devices on the mesh (for instance to devices of friends and family in the region).<ref>https://meshtastic.org/</ref>. In this sense, Meshtastic can be considered to be a little like a long range 'pager' using a smartphone as the messaging interface.		Meshtastic leverages the fact that people are often already carrying smartphones, allowing messages to be sent from a paired smartphone over bluetooth to the device, the messages of which are in turn either broadcast to a public channel on the mesh, or to a user-configured encrypted channel of devices on the mesh (for instance to devices of friends and family in the region).<ref>https://meshtastic.org/</ref>. In this sense, Meshtastic can be considered to be a little like a very long range 'pager' using a smartphone as the messaging interface.

	Low power, some portable Meshtastic devices can run for days on built-in batteries, and come in a small form-factor. The SenseCAP T1000 model, for instance, is little larger than a credit card.		Low power, some portable Meshtastic devices can run for days on built-in batteries, and come in a small form-factor. The SenseCAP T1000 model, for instance, is little larger than a credit card.

	A global map of Meshtastic nodes can be seen [https://meshtastic.liamcottle.net/ here].		A global map of Meshtastic nodes can be seen [https://meshtastic.liamcottle.net/ here].









	== Linkdump ==		== Linkdump ==

Julian at 02:58, 2 December 2024

2024-12-02T02:58:43Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:58, 2 December 2024
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	=== Offline WiFi access points ===		=== Offline WiFi access points ===

	Due to our habitual relationship with WiFi and connecting to the public Internet, we can often overlook WiFi's applications in 'offline' contexts. A a WiFi access point (AP) does not need the public Internet to provide access to content, if the content is locally accessible to the AP. In such applications, either the WiFi router itself holds the data (perhaps on a USB stick), or the data is served from another device connected directly to the AP. This is an interesting direction for those more technically minded wishing to provide a source of information (~~like a~~ WiKi or message board) when the Internet is down. Due to the short range of WiFi, such offline access point servers are best setup at a common communal area, like a community center or disaster meeting point.		Due to our habitual relationship with WiFi and connecting to the public Internet, we can often overlook WiFi's applications in 'offline' contexts. A WiFi access point (AP) does not need the public Internet to provide access to content, if the content is locally accessible to the AP. In such applications, either the WiFi router itself holds the data (perhaps on a USB stick), or the data is served from another device connected directly to the AP.

			This is an interesting direction for those more technically minded wishing to provide basic services, like a source of information (WiKi or message board), when the Internet is down. Due to the short range of WiFi, such offline access point servers are best setup at a common communal area, like a community center or disaster meeting point.

	==== OpenWrt ====		==== OpenWrt ====

	Some commercial routers provide ability for file sharing across their network using the factory firmware installed on the device. However in the majority of applications, an ''after market'' firmware is used, like OpenWrt<ref>https://openwrt.org</ref>. ~~For~~ those more technically inclined, OpenWrt is an open source project ~~and community~~ dedicated to writing and testing firmware that can be 'flashed' onto scavenged or bought WiFi routers, providing them with new functionality and customisation options. At the time of writing, 2043 wireless routers are supported by OpenWrt to some degree<ref>https://openwrt.org/toh/start</ref>.		Some commercial routers provide ability for file sharing across their network using the factory firmware installed on the device. However in the majority of applications, an ''after market'' firmware is used, like OpenWrt<ref>https://openwrt.org</ref>. Suitable for those more technically inclined, OpenWrt is an open source project dedicated to writing and testing firmware that can be 'flashed' onto scavenged or bought WiFi routers, providing them with new functionality and customisation options. At the time of writing, 2043 wireless routers are supported by OpenWrt to some degree<ref>https://openwrt.org/toh/start</ref>.

	Many projects have been ~~done~~ exploring the practical application of offline networking in a wireless context using OpenWrt~~. However, many small form-factor computers can be repurposed as WiFi access points, that either route through to another network (like the Internet) or remain hermetic~~.		Many projects have been made exploring the practical application of offline networking in a wireless context using OpenWrt.

	==== Turning ~~an old laptop~~ into an offline wireless server ====		==== Turning a computer into an offline wireless server ====

	Any GNU/Linux laptop or device with a wireless network adapter can be repurposed as a wireless access point serving information and files from a locally hosted website. A popular webserver for use in such contexts is ''lighttpd''. A popular daemon/service providing access point functionality is ''hostapd'', often coupled with ''dnsmasq'' to provide automatic network configuration of clients using the DHCP protocol alongside domain name resolution<ref>https://w1.fi/hostapd/</ref><ref>https://dnsmasq.org/</ref>.		Laptops and small form-factor computers can be repurposed as WiFi access points, that either route through to another network (like the Internet) or remain hermetic. Any GNU/Linux laptop or device (like Raspberry Pi) with a wireless network adapter can be repurposed as a wireless access point serving information and files from a locally hosted website. A popular webserver for use in such contexts is ''lighttpd''. A popular daemon/service providing access point functionality is ''hostapd'', often coupled with ''dnsmasq'' to provide automatic network configuration of clients using the DHCP protocol alongside domain name resolution<ref>https://w1.fi/hostapd/</ref><ref>https://dnsmasq.org/</ref>.

	== WiFi mesh networks ==		== WiFi mesh networks ==

Julian: Clarifications, cleanup.

2024-12-02T02:54:37Z

Clarifications, cleanup.

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:54, 2 December 2024
Line 5:		Line 5:
	== WiFi ==		== WiFi ==

	WiFi (or Wi-Fi) refers to certain wireless protocols from the 802.11 collection of standards. WiFi is predominantly used for low power, short range networking, and centers around 2 popular bands, 2.4GHz and the faster 5GHz<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wi-Fi</ref>. In 2019, it was found more than 3.05 billion Wi-Fi-enabled devices are shipped globally each year<ref>https://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/5135535/global-wi-fi-enabled-devices-shipment-forecast</ref>. Each of these devices can connect to any wireless access point which is open, or for which they are authenticated. This presents a significant opportunity for the distribution of critical information where Internet access is otherwise not available.		WiFi (or Wi-Fi) refers to certain wireless protocols from the 802.11 collection of standards. WiFi is predominantly used for low power, short range networking, and centers around 2 popular bands, 2.4GHz and the faster 5GHz<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wi-Fi</ref>. In 2019, it was found more than 3.05 billion Wi-Fi-enabled devices are shipped globally each year<ref>https://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/5135535/global-wi-fi-enabled-devices-shipment-forecast</ref>. Each of these devices can connect to any wireless access point which is open, or for which they are authenticated. This presents a significant opportunity for the distribution of critical information where Internet access is otherwise not available.

	=== Offline WiFi access points ===		=== Offline WiFi access points ===

	Due to our habitual relationship with WiFi and connecting to the public Internet, we can often overlook WiFi's applications in 'offline' contexts. A a WiFi access point (AP) does not need the public Internet to provide access to content, if the content is locally accessible to the AP. In such applications, either the WiFi router itself holds the data (perhaps on a USB stick), or the data is served from another device connected directly to the AP.		Due to our habitual relationship with WiFi and connecting to the public Internet, we can often overlook WiFi's applications in 'offline' contexts. A a WiFi access point (AP) does not need the public Internet to provide access to content, if the content is locally accessible to the AP. In such applications, either the WiFi router itself holds the data (perhaps on a USB stick), or the data is served from another device connected directly to the AP. This is an interesting direction for those more technically minded wishing to provide a source of information (like a WiKi or message board) when the Internet is down. Due to the short range of WiFi, such offline access point servers are best setup at a common communal area, like a community center or disaster meeting point.

	==== OpenWrt ====		==== OpenWrt ====

	Some commercial routers provide ability for file sharing across their network using the factory firmware installed on the device. However in the majority of applications, an ''after market'' firmware is used, like OpenWrt<ref>https://openwrt.org</ref>. OpenWrt is an open source project and community dedicated to writing and testing firmware that can be 'flashed' onto scavenged or bought WiFi routers, providing them with new functionality and customisation options. At the time of writing, 2043 wireless ~~access points~~ are supported by OpenWrt to some degree<ref>https://openwrt.org/toh/start</ref>.		Some commercial routers provide ability for file sharing across their network using the factory firmware installed on the device. However in the majority of applications, an ''after market'' firmware is used, like OpenWrt<ref>https://openwrt.org</ref>. For those more technically inclined, OpenWrt is an open source project and community dedicated to writing and testing firmware that can be 'flashed' onto scavenged or bought WiFi routers, providing them with new functionality and customisation options. At the time of writing, 2043 wireless routers are supported by OpenWrt to some degree<ref>https://openwrt.org/toh/start</ref>.

	Many projects have been done exploring the practical application of offline networking in a wireless context using OpenWrt. However, many small form-factor computers can be repurposed as WiFi access points, that either route through to another network (like the Internet) or remain hermetic.		Many projects have been done exploring the practical application of offline networking in a wireless context using OpenWrt. However, many small form-factor computers can be repurposed as WiFi access points, that either route through to another network (like the Internet) or remain hermetic.

	~~For those more technically inclined, any~~ GNU/Linux laptop or device with a wireless network adapter can be repurposed as a wireless access point serving information and files from a locally hosted website. A popular webserver for use in such contexts is ''lighttpd''. A popular daemon/service providing access point functionality is ''hostapd'', often coupled with ''dnsmasq'' to provide automatic network configuration of clients using the DHCP protocol alongside domain name resolution<ref>https://w1.fi/hostapd/</ref><ref>https://dnsmasq.org/</ref>.		==== Turning an old laptop into an offline wireless server ====

			Any GNU/Linux laptop or device with a wireless network adapter can be repurposed as a wireless access point serving information and files from a locally hosted website. A popular webserver for use in such contexts is ''lighttpd''. A popular daemon/service providing access point functionality is ''hostapd'', often coupled with ''dnsmasq'' to provide automatic network configuration of clients using the DHCP protocol alongside domain name resolution<ref>https://w1.fi/hostapd/</ref><ref>https://dnsmasq.org/</ref>.

	== WiFi mesh networks ==		== WiFi mesh networks ==
	[[File:Berliner freifunk netz 03-01-2007.jpg\|thumb\|Image showing connections between nodes of the Freifunk network in Berlin in 2007.]]		[[File:Berliner freifunk netz 03-01-2007.jpg\|thumb\|Image showing connections between nodes of the Freifunk network in Berlin in 2007.]]


	Mesh networks are computer networks that have in-built node redundancy, meaning that no central node is critical to the distribution of information across the network. Routing algorithms ensure that if a node is unavailable along the route, another optimised route is chosen. Mesh networks are in wide use throughout military and disaster response applications, but can also be deployed and managed by civilians with low cost equipment.		Mesh networks are computer networks that have in-built node redundancy, meaning that no central node is critical to the distribution of information across the network. Routing algorithms ensure that if a node is unavailable along the route, another optimised route is chosen. Mesh networks are in wide use throughout military and disaster response applications, but can also be deployed and managed by civilians with low cost equipment.

	A low power mesh network run by a community atop dumpster-dived/recycled or bought wireless routers could provide a valuable means of distributing mission-critical information where [[Cellular communications\|cellular infrastructure]] or the public Internet is otherwise unavailable.		A low power mesh network run by a community atop dumpster-dived/recycled or bought wireless routers could provide a valuable means of distributing mission-critical information where [[Cellular communications\|cellular infrastructure]] or the public Internet is otherwise unavailable. Due to the short-throw of WiFi, for this to be useful in a disaster situation, a built-up urban area would require many such WiFi mesh nodes for there to be failure-tolerance and routing-redundancy. Further, most WiFi routers are wall-powered, and so in the event of a blackout a typical wireless router repurposed as a WiFi mesh node will be down.

	=== Freifunk ===		=== Freifunk ===
Line 54:		Line 55:
	[[File:Meshtastic-Station-G2 .jpg\|thumb\|240px\|left\|A Meshtastic Station G2 LoRa mesh networking device with attached omnidirectional 900MHz antenna]]		[[File:Meshtastic-Station-G2 .jpg\|thumb\|240px\|left\|A Meshtastic Station G2 LoRa mesh networking device with attached omnidirectional 900MHz antenna]]

	LoRa (from 'long range') is a communication protocol that allows for the transmitting and receiving of data in license-free portions of the radio spectrum. Together with LoRaWAN, it represents is an interesting low cost, low power, wide area networking platform, that can be used to create robust mesh networks. Mobility, end-to-end security and location are all features implemented by the LoRa architecture. While the data rate of LoRa is significantly smaller than that of [[Cellular communications\|cellular]] or wireless networks, operating from 0.3 kbit/s to 50 kbit/s per channel, it is sufficient for a diverse applications such as the sending of location information, messages and chat, status updates, sensor output, etc. The longest 2-way conversation between LoRa devices using less than 1 Watt of power is 206 km (128 miles)<ref>https://hackaday.com/2023/06/26/meshtastic-for-the-greater-good/</ref>.		LoRa (from 'long range') is a communication protocol that allows for the transmitting and receiving of data in license-free portions of the radio spectrum. Together with LoRaWAN, it represents is an interesting low cost, low power, wide area networking platform, that can be used to create robust mesh networks. Mobility, end-to-end security and location are all features implemented by the LoRa architecture. While the data rate of LoRa is significantly smaller than that of [[Cellular communications\|cellular]] or wireless networks, operating from 0.3 kbit/s to 50 kbit/s per channel, it is sufficient for a diverse applications such as the sending of location information, messages and chat, status updates, sensor output, etc. The longest 2-way conversation between LoRa devices using less than 1 Watt of power is 206 km (128 miles)<ref>https://hackaday.com/2023/06/26/meshtastic-for-the-greater-good/</ref>. Several kilometers of mesh contact are quite typical for even low-power off-the-shelf LoRa devices, making LoRa an especially interesting solution for emergency communications, both in urban and rural contexts.

			One practical mobile application of LoRa is MsgLab, where it is employed as a small handset with keyboard and case such that it can be used for texting in off-grid contexts<ref>https://www.msglab.co/</ref>.

			=== Meshtastic ===

			The Meshtastic project is a unique LoRa implementation with a very large global community of user-operated mesh nodes. This consumer-facing solution provides a modular platform whereby LoRa hardware, battery, and case and antenna are purchased, a web-based flasher is used to deploy the software onto the hardware. Various interfaces to the hardware (including apps and web-based) are provided. Meshtastic can be a good solution for resilient communications, especially for those less technical. Setup and configuration is done on a smartphone via an app, and requires little-to-no prior knowledge. A large community exists to support those less technical.

			Meshtastic leverages the fact that people are often already carrying smartphones, allowing messages to be sent from a paired smartphone over bluetooth to the device, the messages of which are in turn either broadcast to a public channel on the mesh, or to a user-configured encrypted channel of devices on the mesh (for instance to devices of friends and family in the region).<ref>https://meshtastic.org/</ref>. In this sense, Meshtastic can be considered to be a little like a long range 'pager' using a smartphone as the messaging interface.

			Low power, some portable Meshtastic devices can run for days on built-in batteries, and come in a small form-factor. The SenseCAP T1000 model, for instance, is little larger than a credit card.

	One practical mobile application of LoRa is MsgLab, where it is employed as a small handset with keyboard and case such that it can be used for texting in off-grid contexts<ref>https://www.msglab.co/</ref>. The Meshtastic project is another, with a large global community of user-operated mesh nodes. This off-the-shelf solution provides a modular platform whereby LoRa hardware, battery, and case and antenna are purchased, a web-based flasher is used to deploy the software onto the hardware. Various interfaces to the hardware (including apps and web-based) are provided. Meshtastic can be a good solution for resilient communications for those less technical, allowing messages to be sent from a paired smartphone over bluetooth to the device, the messages of which are in turn either broadcast to a public channel on the mesh, or to a user-configured encrypted channel of devices on the mesh (for instance to devices of friends and family in the region).<ref>https://meshtastic.org/</ref>. A global map of Meshtastic nodes can be seen [https://meshtastic.liamcottle.net/ here].		A global map of Meshtastic nodes can be seen [https://meshtastic.liamcottle.net/ here].

Julian: /* WiFi */

2024-10-24T06:49:25Z

WiFi

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:49, 24 October 2024
Line 5:		Line 5:
	== WiFi ==		== WiFi ==

	WiFi (or Wi-Fi) refers to ~~a collection of~~ wireless protocols from the 802.11 collection of standards. WiFi is predominantly used for low power, short range networking, and centers around 2 popular bands, 2.4GHz and the faster 5GHz<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wi-Fi</ref>. In 2019, it was found more than 3.05 billion Wi-Fi-enabled devices are shipped globally each year<ref>https://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/5135535/global-wi-fi-enabled-devices-shipment-forecast</ref>. Each of these devices can connect to any wireless access point which is open, or for which they are authenticated. This presents a significant opportunity for the distribution of critical information where Internet access is otherwise not available.		WiFi (or Wi-Fi) refers to certain wireless protocols from the 802.11 collection of standards. WiFi is predominantly used for low power, short range networking, and centers around 2 popular bands, 2.4GHz and the faster 5GHz<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wi-Fi</ref>. In 2019, it was found more than 3.05 billion Wi-Fi-enabled devices are shipped globally each year<ref>https://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/5135535/global-wi-fi-enabled-devices-shipment-forecast</ref>. Each of these devices can connect to any wireless access point which is open, or for which they are authenticated. This presents a significant opportunity for the distribution of critical information where Internet access is otherwise not available.

	=== Offline WiFi access points ===		=== Offline WiFi access points ===

Julian at 06:19, 24 October 2024

2024-10-24T06:19:48Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:19, 24 October 2024
Line 57:		Line 57:

	One practical mobile application of LoRa is MsgLab, where it is employed as a small handset with keyboard and case such that it can be used for texting in off-grid contexts<ref>https://www.msglab.co/</ref>. The Meshtastic project is another, with a large global community of user-operated mesh nodes. This off-the-shelf solution provides a modular platform whereby LoRa hardware, battery, and case and antenna are purchased, a web-based flasher is used to deploy the software onto the hardware. Various interfaces to the hardware (including apps and web-based) are provided. Meshtastic can be a good solution for resilient communications for those less technical, allowing messages to be sent from a paired smartphone over bluetooth to the device, the messages of which are in turn either broadcast to a public channel on the mesh, or to a user-configured encrypted channel of devices on the mesh (for instance to devices of friends and family in the region).<ref>https://meshtastic.org/</ref>. A global map of Meshtastic nodes can be seen [https://meshtastic.liamcottle.net/ here].		One practical mobile application of LoRa is MsgLab, where it is employed as a small handset with keyboard and case such that it can be used for texting in off-grid contexts<ref>https://www.msglab.co/</ref>. The Meshtastic project is another, with a large global community of user-operated mesh nodes. This off-the-shelf solution provides a modular platform whereby LoRa hardware, battery, and case and antenna are purchased, a web-based flasher is used to deploy the software onto the hardware. Various interfaces to the hardware (including apps and web-based) are provided. Meshtastic can be a good solution for resilient communications for those less technical, allowing messages to be sent from a paired smartphone over bluetooth to the device, the messages of which are in turn either broadcast to a public channel on the mesh, or to a user-configured encrypted channel of devices on the mesh (for instance to devices of friends and family in the region).<ref>https://meshtastic.org/</ref>. A global map of Meshtastic nodes can be seen [https://meshtastic.liamcottle.net/ here].









	== Linkdump ==		== Linkdump ==

Julian: Added info and link to Liam Cottle's Meshtastic map

2024-10-24T06:19:14Z

Added info and link to Liam Cottle's Meshtastic map

@@ Line 56: / Line 56: @@
 LoRa (from 'long range') is a communication protocol that allows for the transmitting and receiving of data in license-free portions of the radio spectrum. Together with LoRaWAN, it represents is an interesting low cost, low power, wide area networking platform, that can be used to create robust mesh networks. Mobility, end-to-end security and location are all features implemented by the LoRa architecture. While the data rate of LoRa is significantly smaller than that of [[Cellular communications|cellular]] or wireless networks, operating from 0.3 kbit/s to 50 kbit/s per channel, it is sufficient for a diverse applications such as the sending of location information, messages and chat, status updates, sensor output, etc. The longest 2-way conversation between LoRa devices using less than 1 Watt of power is 206 km (128 miles)<ref>https://hackaday.com/2023/06/26/meshtastic-for-the-greater-good/</ref>.
-A practical mobile application of LoRa employs it in a small handset with keyboard and case such that it can be used for texting in off-grid contexts<ref>https://www.msglab.co/</ref>. The Meshtastic project provides a modular platform whereby LoRa hardware, battery, and case and antenna are purchased, a web-based flasher is used to deploy the software onto the hardware, and various interfaces to the hardware (including apps and web-based) are provided. Meshtastic can be a good solution for resilient communications for those less technical, allowing messages to be sent from a paired smartphone over bluetooth to the device, the messages of which are in turn either broadcast to a public channel on the mesh, or to a user-configured encrypted channel of devices on the mesh (for instance to devices of friends and family in the region).
+One practical mobile application of LoRa is MsgLab, where it is employed as a small handset with keyboard and case such that it can be used for texting in off-grid contexts<ref>https://www.msglab.co/</ref>. The Meshtastic project is another, with a large global community of user-operated mesh nodes. This off-the-shelf solution provides a modular platform whereby LoRa hardware, battery, and case and antenna are purchased, a web-based flasher is used to deploy the software onto the hardware. Various interfaces to the hardware (including apps and web-based) are provided. Meshtastic can be a good solution for resilient communications for those less technical, allowing messages to be sent from a paired smartphone over bluetooth to the device, the messages of which are in turn either broadcast to a public channel on the mesh, or to a user-configured encrypted channel of devices on the mesh (for instance to devices of friends and family in the region).<ref>https://meshtastic.org/</ref>. A global map of Meshtastic nodes can be seen [https://meshtastic.liamcottle.net/ here].
 == Linkdump ==

Julian: Updated info about Meshtastic, with image of Station G2 device

2024-10-24T06:14:51Z

Updated info about Meshtastic, with image of Station G2 device

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:14, 24 October 2024
Line 50:		Line 50:

	== LoRa/LoRaWAN ==		== LoRa/LoRaWAN ==
	[[File:Adafruit-lora-rpi.jpg\|thumb\|120px\|~~left~~\|An Adafruit LoRa shield atop a Rasberry Pi Model 4, with 900MHz omnidirectional antenna.]]		[[File:Adafruit-lora-rpi.jpg\|thumb\|120px\|right\|An Adafruit LoRa shield atop a Rasberry Pi Model 4, with 900MHz omnidirectional antenna.]]

			[[File:Meshtastic-Station-G2 .jpg\|thumb\|240px\|left\|A Meshtastic Station G2 LoRa mesh networking device with attached omnidirectional 900MHz antenna]]

			LoRa (from 'long range') is a communication protocol that allows for the transmitting and receiving of data in license-free portions of the radio spectrum. Together with LoRaWAN, it represents is an interesting low cost, low power, wide area networking platform, that can be used to create robust mesh networks. Mobility, end-to-end security and location are all features implemented by the LoRa architecture. While the data rate of LoRa is significantly smaller than that of [[Cellular communications\|cellular]] or wireless networks, operating from 0.3 kbit/s to 50 kbit/s per channel, it is sufficient for a diverse applications such as the sending of location information, messages and chat, status updates, sensor output, etc. The longest 2-way conversation between LoRa devices using less than 1 Watt of power is 206 km (128 miles)<ref>https://hackaday.com/2023/06/26/meshtastic-for-the-greater-good/</ref>.

			A practical mobile application of LoRa employs it in a small handset with keyboard and case such that it can be used for texting in off-grid contexts<ref>https://www.msglab.co/</ref>. The Meshtastic project provides a modular platform whereby LoRa hardware, battery, and case and antenna are purchased, a web-based flasher is used to deploy the software onto the hardware, and various interfaces to the hardware (including apps and web-based) are provided. Meshtastic can be a good solution for resilient communications for those less technical, allowing messages to be sent from a paired smartphone over bluetooth to the device, the messages of which are in turn either broadcast to a public channel on the mesh, or to a user-configured encrypted channel of devices on the mesh (for instance to devices of friends and family in the region).
			<ref>https://meshtastic.org/</ref>.











	~~[[File:LoRa-Msg.jpg\|thumb\|Two handsets from the LoRa Msg off-grid messaging project.]]~~

	LoRa (from 'long range') is a communication protocol that allows for the transmitting and receiving of data in license-free portions of the radio spectrum. Together with LoRaWAN, it represents is an interesting low cost, low power, wide area networking platform, that can be used to create robust mesh networks. Mobility, end-to-end security and location are all features implemented by the LoRa architecture. While the data rate of LoRa is significantly smaller than that of [[Cellular communications\|cellular]] or wireless networks, operating from 0.3 kbit/s to 50 kbit/s per channel, it is sufficient for a diverse applications such as the sending of location information, messages and chat, status updates, sensor output, etc. The longest 2-way conversation between LoRa devices using less than 1 Watt of power is 206 km (128 miles)<ref>https://hackaday.com/2023/06/26/meshtastic-for-the-greater-good/</ref>.

	A practical mobile application of LoRa employs it in a small handset with keyboard and case such that it can be used for texting in off-grid contexts<ref>https://www.msglab.co/</ref>. The Meshtastic project provides a modular platform whereby LoRa hardware, battery, and case and antenna are purchased, a web-based flasher is used to deploy the software onto the hardware, and various interfaces to the hardware (including apps and web-based) are provided<ref>https://meshtastic.org/</ref>.

	== Linkdump ==		== Linkdump ==

Julian: /* Linkdump */

2024-07-03T04:11:25Z

Linkdump

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:11, 3 July 2024
Line 78:		Line 78:

	https://open.janastu.org/		https://open.janastu.org/

			https://www.earthdefenderstoolkit.com/one-pager/guide-librerouter-and-libremesh/

	== Citations ==		== Citations ==

	<references />		<references />

Julian: Added link for the Janastu project in India

2024-07-02T08:47:42Z

Added link for the Janastu project in India

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:47, 2 July 2024
Line 76:		Line 76:

	https://qaul.net		https://qaul.net

			https://open.janastu.org/

	== Citations ==		== Citations ==

	<references />		<references />

Julian: /* LoRa/LoRaWAN */

2023-09-30T08:08:49Z

LoRa/LoRaWAN

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:08, 30 September 2023
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	== LoRa/LoRaWAN ==		== LoRa/LoRaWAN ==
	[[File:Adafruit-lora-rpi.jpg\|thumb\|left\|An Adafruit ~~915MHz RFM69HCW~~ LoRa shield atop a Rasberry Pi Model 4, ~~and connected to a~~ 900MHz omnidirectional antenna.]]		[[File:Adafruit-lora-rpi.jpg\|thumb\|120px\|left\|An Adafruit LoRa shield atop a Rasberry Pi Model 4, with 900MHz omnidirectional antenna.]]


			[[File:LoRa-Msg.jpg\|thumb\|Two handsets from the LoRa Msg off-grid messaging project.]]

	LoRa (from 'long range') is a communication protocol that allows for the transmitting and receiving of data in license-free portions of the radio spectrum. Together with LoRaWAN, it represents is an interesting low cost, low power, wide area networking platform, that can be used to create robust mesh networks. Mobility, end-to-end security and location are all features implemented by the LoRa architecture. While the data rate of LoRa is significantly smaller than that of [[Cellular communications\|cellular]] or wireless networks, operating from 0.3 kbit/s to 50 kbit/s per channel, it is sufficient for a diverse applications such as the sending of location information, messages and chat, status updates, sensor output, etc. The longest 2-way conversation between LoRa devices using less than 1 Watt of power is 206 km (128 miles)<ref>https://hackaday.com/2023/06/26/meshtastic-for-the-greater-good/</ref>.		LoRa (from 'long range') is a communication protocol that allows for the transmitting and receiving of data in license-free portions of the radio spectrum. Together with LoRaWAN, it represents is an interesting low cost, low power, wide area networking platform, that can be used to create robust mesh networks. Mobility, end-to-end security and location are all features implemented by the LoRa architecture. While the data rate of LoRa is significantly smaller than that of [[Cellular communications\|cellular]] or wireless networks, operating from 0.3 kbit/s to 50 kbit/s per channel, it is sufficient for a diverse applications such as the sending of location information, messages and chat, status updates, sensor output, etc. The longest 2-way conversation between LoRa devices using less than 1 Watt of power is 206 km (128 miles)<ref>https://hackaday.com/2023/06/26/meshtastic-for-the-greater-good/</ref>.

	A practical mobile application of LoRa employs it in a small handset with keyboard and case such that it can be used for texting in off-grid contexts<ref>https://www.~~hackster~~.io/~~news/this-lora-messenger-is-perfect-for-texting-in-the-wilderness-108ed61aaace~~</ref>. The Meshtastic project provides a modular platform whereby LoRa hardware, battery, and case and antenna are purchased, a web-based flasher is used to deploy the software onto the hardware, and various interfaces to the hardware (including apps and web-based) are provided<ref>https://meshtastic.org/</ref>.		A practical mobile application of LoRa employs it in a small handset with keyboard and case such that it can be used for texting in off-grid contexts<ref>https://www.msglab.co/</ref>. The Meshtastic project provides a modular platform whereby LoRa hardware, battery, and case and antenna are purchased, a web-based flasher is used to deploy the software onto the hardware, and various interfaces to the hardware (including apps and web-based) are provided<ref>https://meshtastic.org/</ref>.

	== Linkdump ==		== Linkdump ==