Table of Contents
Pieces of the puzzle
Nodes
- Each mesh network consists of two or more nodes.
- A node is a normal access point running the MESHdesk firmware.
- MESHdesk supports a growing list of hardware.
- Simply flash the MESHdesk firmware onto any of the supported hardware.
- The nodes are pre-configured with the MESHdesk Node config utility (usually once-off).
- Nodes are centrally managed and monitored through MESHdesk.
MESHdesk Node Config Utility
- MESHdesk is different from other cloud based controllers which are owned by someone else.
- You have your own MESHdesk install.
- You use the MESHdesk Node Config Utility to initially point the MESHdesk firmware to your MESdesk server.
- The MESHdesk Node Config Utility is a Windows based executable for your convenience. (It will also be able to run on Apple and Linux)
- Download the Mesh Node Config Utility from here:
MESHdesk
- MESHdesk comes as part of RADIUSdesk and is used to centrally manage and monitor Batman-adv based mesh networks.
- You use it to define entry points (SSIDs) and exit points to a mesh network.
- You also use it to assign nodes to a mesh network.
RADIUSdesk
- RADIUSdesk is a modern web based front-end to the FreeRADIUS RADIUS server.
- RADIUS is used by the mesh network on the entry points (SSID) if one choose to include WPA2 Enterprise security.
- RADIUS is also used by the mesh network on the exit points if one choose to include a Coova Chilli captive portal.