Difference between revisions of "Wireless Mesh configuration example"
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==Introduction== | ==Introduction== | ||
− | Wireless networks have become widely adopted in various industrial, agricultural, medical | + | Wireless networks have become widely adopted in various industrial, agricultural, medical military and scientific areas, due to a widespread use of various remote sensors, monitoring and management devices as well as new, constantly emerging services. The necessity for wireless coverage has grown in both indoor and outdoor environments as in many cases the 100 m connection limitation of ethernet cable is not sufficient to cover the required area. Wireless mesh networks basically work as a replacement of cables. The client station connects to the access point without any additional steps or requirements and without knowing if the access point connects to the wired network directly or through a mesh cloud. Mesh functionality is carried out by access points, which support for additional features, functions and frame formats in order to expand wireless coverage. All stations in a mesh might send, receive and forward traffic. Mesh networks allow to transfer messages between stations that are not in direct communication through other intermediate stations. This provides a layer of robustness as in case of a device failure, traffic can be re – routed, so, generally, mesh networks have no single points of failure. They are also relatively easy to scale, as a new device can be easily added to the mesh and underlying algorithms automatically create new links and routes between devices. The example below shows how to configure Teltonika routers for wireless mesh network functionality. |
==Prerequisites== | ==Prerequisites== | ||
− | The configuration of wireless mesh with Teltonika devices is relatively simple and involves only a few steps repeated for multiple devices. The device count depends on the use case, however, the configuration provided can be easily scaled for many devices. For the following example, | + | The configuration of wireless mesh with Teltonika devices is relatively simple and involves only a few steps repeated for multiple devices. The device count depends on the use case, however, the configuration provided can be easily scaled for many devices. For the following example, three RUTX11 routers will be used: |
− | + | <ol> | |
− | + | <li>One router will needs to have an internet access. It will act as a mesh gateway and DHCP server.</li> | |
− | + | <li>Other routers will operate as mesh nodes. </li> | |
− | + | </ol> | |
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==Configuration== | ==Configuration== | ||
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===Mesh gateway=== | ===Mesh gateway=== | ||
This router must have access to the internet. The following settings should be enabled by default. | This router must have access to the internet. The following settings should be enabled by default. | ||
− | # Access router‘s WebUI. Navigate to '''Network''' | + | # Access router‘s WebUI. Navigate to '''Network''' -> '''Interfaces'''. |
− | # | + | # Press the pencil icon on the right of the LAN interface. |
− | # | + | # If necessary, select Protocol in the General settings tab as Static. |
− | # Enter IPv4 address | + | # Enter IPv4 address, as well as subnet mask. |
− | # | + | # Enable DHCP. Based on your requirements, edit DHCP limit and lease time or leave the rest of the settings as set by default. |
− | + | [[File:Networking_rutx11_configuration_example_wireless_mesh_mesh_gateway_configuration_v2.png|border|class=tlt-border]] | |
− | [[File: | + | [[File:Networking_rutx11_configuration_example_wireless_mesh_mesh_gateway_configuration_2_v2.png|border|class=tlt-border]] |
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===Mesh nodes=== | ===Mesh nodes=== | ||
− | In order to avoid conflicts, each node router needs to be leased their LAN IP by mesh gateway. | + | In order to avoid conflicts, each node router needs to be leased their LAN IP by mesh gateway. To do so: |
− | # Access router‘s WebUI. Navigate to '''Network''' | + | # Access router‘s WebUI. Navigate to '''Network''' -> '''Interfaces'''.</li> |
# Press pencil icon on the right of the LAN interface.</li> | # Press pencil icon on the right of the LAN interface.</li> | ||
− | # Change Protocol to | + | # Change Protocol to DHCP.</li> |
[[File:Networking_rutx11_configuration_example_wireless_mesh_mesh_node_configuration_1_v2.png|border|class=tlt-border]] | [[File:Networking_rutx11_configuration_example_wireless_mesh_mesh_node_configuration_1_v2.png|border|class=tlt-border]] | ||
[[File:Networking_rutx11_configuration_example_wireless_mesh_mesh_node_configuration_2_v2.png|border|class=tlt-border]] | [[File:Networking_rutx11_configuration_example_wireless_mesh_mesh_node_configuration_2_v2.png|border|class=tlt-border]] | ||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | ===Common settings=== | ||
+ | The following settings need to be applied to all of the routers in the wireless mesh network including mesh gateway and nodes. | ||
+ | <ol> | ||
+ | <li>Open router‘s WebUI and navigate to '''Network''' -> '''Wireless'''.</li> | ||
+ | <li>Depending on your application requirements and availability, open 2.4GHz or 5GHz interface configuration. 2.4GHz is selected for this example.</li> | ||
+ | <li>In '''General Setup''' tab make sure '''Mode''' is selected as '''Access Point'''.</li> | ||
+ | <li>Change SSID so that it would be '''the same in all of the routers'''.</li> | ||
+ | <li>In '''Wireless Security''' tab select encryption and set Password so that it would be '''the same in all of the routers'''.</li> | ||
+ | <li>In router‘s WebUI, Navigate to '''Network''' -> '''Wireless''' section. '''Add new''' 2.4GHZ or 5GHz interface. '''This frequency band must match in all routers'''. </li> | ||
+ | <li>An interface configuration window will show up. In '''General Setup''' tab '''Enable''' interface, select Mode as '''Mesh''', and enter Mesh ID. '''Mesh ID Must be identical on all devices'''.</li> | ||
+ | <li>In '''Wireless Security''' tab select Encryption '''WPA3 – SAE''' and enter the Password. '''The password must match on all devices'''.</li> | ||
+ | <li>In '''Advanced Settings''' tab enable Forward mesh peer traffic and set RSSI threshold for joining to -80. Leave the rest as set by default.</li> | ||
+ | </ol> | ||
+ | [[File:Networking_rutx11_configuration_example_wireless_mesh_mesh_common_configuration_1_v2.png|border|class=tlt-border]] | ||
+ | [[File:Networking_rutx11_configuration_example_wireless_mesh_mesh_common_configuration_2_v2.png|border|class=tlt-border]] | ||
+ | [[File:Networking_rutx11_configuration_example_wireless_mesh_mesh_common_configuration_3_v2.png|border|class=tlt-border]] | ||
+ | [[File:Networking rutx11 configuration example wireless mesh mesh common configuration 4 v2.png|border|class=tlt-border]] | ||
+ | [[File:Networking_rutx11_configuration_example_wireless_mesh_mesh_common_configuration_5_v2.png|border|class=tlt-border]] | ||
+ | [[File:Networking_rutx11_configuration_example_wireless_mesh_mesh_common_configuration_6_v2.png|border|class=tlt-border]] | ||
+ | [[File:Networking rutx11 configuration example wireless mesh mesh common configuration 7 v2.png|border|class=tlt-border]] | ||
==Testing the configuration== | ==Testing the configuration== | ||
There are several ways to check the connection. | There are several ways to check the connection. | ||
− | + | *Navigate to '''Network''' -> '''Wireless'''. The mesh interface, in this case "1", shows the number of connected mesh nodes, which is 2. | |
− | *Navigate to '''Network''' | ||
[[File:Networking rutx11 configuration example wireless mesh test 1 v2.png|border|class=tlt-border]] | [[File:Networking rutx11 configuration example wireless mesh test 1 v2.png|border|class=tlt-border]] | ||
− | *A list of IP addresses leased by mesh gateway can be viewed by going to | + | *A list of IP addresses leased by mesh gateway can be viewed by going to Status -> Network-> LAN. In the screenshot given IP addresses can be seen given to the two RUT routers as well as a device, connected to the access point. |
[[File:Networking rutx11 configuration example wireless mesh test 2 v2.png|border|class=tlt-border]] | [[File:Networking rutx11 configuration example wireless mesh test 2 v2.png|border|class=tlt-border]] | ||
− | *Those IPs can be pinged from the mesh gateway | + | *Those IPs can be pinged from the mesh gateway. |
− | [[File: | + | [[File:Networking_rutx11_configuration_example_wireless_mesh_test_4_v1.png|border|class=tlt-border]] |
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==External links== | ==External links== | ||
# [https://openwrt.org/docs/guide-user/network/wifi/mesh/80211s https://openwrt.org/docs/guide-user/network/wifi/mesh/80211s] | # [https://openwrt.org/docs/guide-user/network/wifi/mesh/80211s https://openwrt.org/docs/guide-user/network/wifi/mesh/80211s] | ||
# [https://www.cwnp.com/uploads/802-11s_mesh_networking_v1-0.pdf https://www.cwnp.com/uploads/802-11s_mesh_networking_v1-0.pdf] | # [https://www.cwnp.com/uploads/802-11s_mesh_networking_v1-0.pdf https://www.cwnp.com/uploads/802-11s_mesh_networking_v1-0.pdf] |
Revision as of 16:04, 17 March 2022
Introduction
Wireless networks have become widely adopted in various industrial, agricultural, medical military and scientific areas, due to a widespread use of various remote sensors, monitoring and management devices as well as new, constantly emerging services. The necessity for wireless coverage has grown in both indoor and outdoor environments as in many cases the 100 m connection limitation of ethernet cable is not sufficient to cover the required area. Wireless mesh networks basically work as a replacement of cables. The client station connects to the access point without any additional steps or requirements and without knowing if the access point connects to the wired network directly or through a mesh cloud. Mesh functionality is carried out by access points, which support for additional features, functions and frame formats in order to expand wireless coverage. All stations in a mesh might send, receive and forward traffic. Mesh networks allow to transfer messages between stations that are not in direct communication through other intermediate stations. This provides a layer of robustness as in case of a device failure, traffic can be re – routed, so, generally, mesh networks have no single points of failure. They are also relatively easy to scale, as a new device can be easily added to the mesh and underlying algorithms automatically create new links and routes between devices. The example below shows how to configure Teltonika routers for wireless mesh network functionality.
Prerequisites
The configuration of wireless mesh with Teltonika devices is relatively simple and involves only a few steps repeated for multiple devices. The device count depends on the use case, however, the configuration provided can be easily scaled for many devices. For the following example, three RUTX11 routers will be used:
- One router will needs to have an internet access. It will act as a mesh gateway and DHCP server.
- Other routers will operate as mesh nodes.
Configuration
Mesh gateway
This router must have access to the internet. The following settings should be enabled by default.
- Access router‘s WebUI. Navigate to Network -> Interfaces.
- Press the pencil icon on the right of the LAN interface.
- If necessary, select Protocol in the General settings tab as Static.
- Enter IPv4 address, as well as subnet mask.
- Enable DHCP. Based on your requirements, edit DHCP limit and lease time or leave the rest of the settings as set by default.
Mesh nodes
In order to avoid conflicts, each node router needs to be leased their LAN IP by mesh gateway. To do so:
- Access router‘s WebUI. Navigate to Network -> Interfaces.
- Press pencil icon on the right of the LAN interface.
- Change Protocol to DHCP.
Common settings
The following settings need to be applied to all of the routers in the wireless mesh network including mesh gateway and nodes.
- Open router‘s WebUI and navigate to Network -> Wireless.
- Depending on your application requirements and availability, open 2.4GHz or 5GHz interface configuration. 2.4GHz is selected for this example.
- In General Setup tab make sure Mode is selected as Access Point.
- Change SSID so that it would be the same in all of the routers.
- In Wireless Security tab select encryption and set Password so that it would be the same in all of the routers.
- In router‘s WebUI, Navigate to Network -> Wireless section. Add new 2.4GHZ or 5GHz interface. This frequency band must match in all routers.
- An interface configuration window will show up. In General Setup tab Enable interface, select Mode as Mesh, and enter Mesh ID. Mesh ID Must be identical on all devices.
- In Wireless Security tab select Encryption WPA3 – SAE and enter the Password. The password must match on all devices.
- In Advanced Settings tab enable Forward mesh peer traffic and set RSSI threshold for joining to -80. Leave the rest as set by default.
Testing the configuration
There are several ways to check the connection.
- Navigate to Network -> Wireless. The mesh interface, in this case "1", shows the number of connected mesh nodes, which is 2.
- A list of IP addresses leased by mesh gateway can be viewed by going to Status -> Network-> LAN. In the screenshot given IP addresses can be seen given to the two RUT routers as well as a device, connected to the access point.
- Those IPs can be pinged from the mesh gateway.