DC Mesh is experimenting with building out a wifi mesh network in Washington DC using Libremesh.
Step 1: Buy a GL.iNet GL-AR300M16-Ext router
This router was chosen because it is the cheapest, most energy-efficient Libremesh-capable router, making it possible to run these nodes on solar power.
Step 2: Download the Libremesh firmware
Go to https://firmware-selector.libremesh.org/
Note: this site works best on Chrome
Search for “GL.iNet GL-AR300M16”
Click the arrow for “Customize installed pages”
Leave everything as default
Click “Request Build”
Wait for it to build
Click the “SYSUPGRADE” button when it appears at the bottom
Step 3: Flash the firmware
Plug the ethernet from the LAN port of the router into your computer
Go to windows windows settings -> Ethernet Settings
Click “private network”
Click IP assigment -> Edit
Change to manual
Click on IPv4
IP: 192.168.1.2
Subnet: 255.255.255.0
disable your wifi
Plug in the USB power for the router and let it do a full boot – this can take a few minutes. Wait until the red light is off. Then unplug the power. You might have to reboot it a couple of times until the red light goes off.
On the router, hold down the reset button down while plugging in the USB power. Keep holding the button – the red LED on the right should flash 5 times. Release when the middle and left LEDs are green.
go to http://192.168.1.1 (Edge seems to works best – sometimes it helps to be in a private browser window)
Click “choose file” and select the libremesh firmware file
Click “Update gl-inet firmware”
Wait for the flash to finish, the reboot the router.
In windows network settings change your ethernet connection IP assignment back to automatic
Step 4: Configure the router
Go to http://thisnode.info/
Click the three bars on the top right
Click node configuration
Rename it something useful like “DC-Mesh Cleveland Park”
Re-enable your wifi