Mesh Network Toronto

New to Mesh Networking?

We are Toronto Mesh, San Diego Mesh, and Philly Mesh. We Can Help!
Hey guys, there has been an uptick in people wanting to start or join a meshnet and this post is intended to give you a bit of an understanding of the current state of things and how to get involved with a meshnet.

I want to rebrand the name and take back awareness so others can find more details

https://www.reddit.com/r/darknetplan/comments/7gce7o/new_to_mesh_networking_we_are_toronto_mesh_san/

/u/benhylau /u/ImMcl0v1n, and I represent
Toronto Mesh, https://tomesh.net/
San Diego Mesh, http://sdmesh.net/
and
Philly Mesh https://phillymesh.net/
respectively. Our groups closely collaborate with one another and we also work in some capacity with Boston Mesh, NYCMesh, MetaMesh (of Pittsburgh) and other groups. We all chat daily using the federated chat network Matrix, which is open source and allows you to host your own homeserver in the network. On Matrix, we can easily join or create other Matrix channels, as well as bridge to certain IRC networks.

There are many, many groups out there which can usually be found just by Google searching. There are a ton of subreddits dedicated to local mesh groups, though most are dead (however they can be good starting points for reviving a network with like-minded folks). Here is a list of subreddits available. Here is MetaMesh's list of mesh groups. Here is yet another list. When all else fails, search around.

If you aren't a technical person, don't fret. Mesh groups need people to perform outreach, build relationships, and organize events. A successful meshnet is not just a technical installation. Meshnets need people. You can work with local hackerspaces, Linux user groups, Ham groups, and even libraries!

Different mesh groups use different software. You may hear talk of cjdns, qmp, LibreMesh, AltheaMesh, B.A.T.M.A.N., BMX6, OLSR, 802.11s, Project Byzantium, Babel, Commotion, and a whole slew of others. These packages address the idea of mesh networking, though they may do so in different ways or from different angles. Some are complete firmware solutions, others are higher level applications. Some can be used with one another, and others can only be used alone. There are a lot of packages to choose from and if you are starting a mesh, you will have to weigh each one for what fits your group. A lot of mesh software is open and has the potential to be interoperable; you don't have to wory about two meshnets never being able to communicate. If you are joining a mesh, they most likely have a piece of software in kind that you can use. Many of these packages are tested each year at Wireless Battle Mesh.   http://battlemesh.org/

Hardware is mostly dictated by software. For example, Commotion only works on certain consumer routers, Byzantium only works on desktop computers, etc. Your software solution will definitely have a say in your hardware solution.

Both Toronto Mesh and Philly Mesh are prototyping network nodes with Single Board Computers like the Raspberry Pi and Orange Pi to run a software stack with cjdns. Many other mesh networks rely on Consumer routers from brands like GL-INET with custom firmware and software packages. In most cases, a mesh network will also have "supernodes" to better handle network flow. These supernodes can be used to form a network backbone which other nodes connect to. For long-distance network connections, many turn to Ubiquiti's AirFiber, or an offering from ZBT-LINK.

A lot of people ask about how a mesh network connects to the existing Internet. Keep in mind, though, that some mesh networks purposefully do NOT connect to the Internet. Most mesh networks will have one or more egress points to the Internet. This can be an existing residential/business Internet connection (though this might be a TOS violation depending how it is implemented). Other networks work with Internet exchanges that have more direct lines to the Internet without needing to use regional service providers.

The bottom line is that localized, community mesh networks are possible and there are examples of them in the world. If you are interested, try to find one! If you can't, make one and gather interest. Create a presence: a website, a subreddit, a Matrix channel. Talk to people, and don't be afraid to ask for help!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask here!

/u/Famicoman - Philly Mesh

/u/benhylau - Toronto Mesh

/u/Shrinks99 - Toronto Mesh

/u/ImMcl0v1n - San Diego Mesh

Some Resources:
Building DIY Community Mesh Networks -Primer on getting a community mesh network started.

Hyperboria 101 - Learn about cjdns and the Hyperboria network.

Toronto Mesh 101 Glossary - Commonly used mesh networking terms defined.

Networks.land - Learn how the Internet works.

Toronto Mesh - Build A Node - Toronto Mesh's guide to build a mesh node.


https://www.reddit.com/r/darknetplan/comments/7gce7o/new_to_mesh_networking_we_are_toronto_mesh_san/




HAM Mesh
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