How to join the mesh network
2009-08-17 12:51 — Mark Burdett
Joining the 510pen mesh network is a simple, four-step process. Once your mesh router has been delivered, it should take you no more than a few minutes to set up, even if you consider the extent of your technical skills to be no more than turning on your computer and checking your e-mail.
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Order an OM1P professional mini-router ($59) or MR3201A mini-router ($29).
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When your mesh router arrives, create an account on 510pen.org and add your mesh node.
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Plug your mesh router into an existing Internet connection for at least one hour so it can receive its configuration from 510pen.org along with any firmware updates. If your mesh router is within 50-150 feet of another node on the mesh network, it could be used to extend the network without remaining plugged in to an Internet connection.
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Place or mount the router in a location where it can best serve its users and reach neighboring mesh nodes. You can order additional mesh routers to relay the mesh network into areas with poor reception. Take a look at a mesh network planning guide.
The mesh router uses only a small portion of your Internet connection, and for security, it creates a new wireless network separate from any existing network you may have. We recommend using a local mesh-friendly Internet service provider.
Do they federate?
Hi!
This is so cool! I just set up the 14th and Harrison node. Hope to link up to others soon. I was wondering if the nodes federate to pool multiple downstream pipes. An example to illustrate this would be if I have an Internet connection and my neighbor Phyllis across the hall does not. I am cool with her using my connection, because she is a nice lady, feeds my bunnies when I go on vacation and graces my doorstep with homemade jam every now and again. My upstairs neighbor is also very nice, but he has a really high paying tech job, works from home, sucks up tons of bandwith (torrents, video, running his personal web server in his closet, etc.) and is generally a "power user." He has his own blazing fast Internet connection, and a brand new Open-Mesh gateway. Can he plug the gateway into his Modem the same way I do and "pool" our bandwidth, or do we each essentially have a separate wireless mesh?
You can indeed have multiple
You can indeed have multiple Internet gateways on one mesh network. That's why we talk about the mesh network improving redundancy and reliability of Internet access :)