View source for DIY Mesh Guide Software and Resources

== Pilot mesh projects ==

A number of pilot mesh projects across the world  have demonstrated that a community can establish and maintain a wireless mesh network and have access to a range of modern information and communication services.

*[http://www.cuwireless.net/ Champaign-Urbana Community Wireless Network (CUWiN)]
*[http://start.freifunk.net/ Freifunk.net] and [http://wiki.freifunk.net/Hauptseite Freifunk wiki site]
*[http://www.tibtec.org/ Dharamsala Community Wireless Mesh Network]
*Peebles Valley in South Africa [[Mpumulanga Mesh]] and [http://www.fmfi.org.za/wiki/index.php/Mpumalanga_Mesh:Project_Overview FMFI Mpumalanga Mesh]

==Software Required==

The Freifunk and DD-WRT firmware is continually being updated and new releases are available on a regular basis. Always check for the latest versions online as the DIY Guide might not be updated regularly enough to reflect the newest versions of the firmware.


* '''Freifunk firmware version 1.4.5''' (download from http://download-master.berlin.freifunk.net/ipkg/_g+bgl/ ) If the full names of the files are not fully displayed, move the mouse over each name/link and notice the bottom left corner of your screen for the full name of the file. All  these files are the same except for the language (i.e. English, German, etc.) they have been built for.  To download the English version, select openwrt-g-freifunk-1.4.5-en.bin. Note the folder/directory to which this file is stored on your local machine. The firmware is continually being updated and revised. Please check for the latest version.

* '''DD-WRT firmware version 2.3''' (download from http://www.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv2/downloads.php ) Select ''stable''  →  select ''dd-wrt.v23 SP2''  →  select ''standard''  →  select ''dd-wrt.v23_wrt54g.bin''

* '''Putty.exe''' - This is a Windows SSH client, required for any PC/laptop running Windows (download from http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/download.html or other website on the internet)

* '''Tcpdump''' (download the latest tcpdump and libpcap library from http://downloads.openwrt.org/whiterussian/packages/ ) 

* '''dot-draw''' (download the latest olsrd-mod-dot-draw package from http://downloads.openwrt.org/whiterussian/packages/ )

==Resources==

*[http://wire.less.dk/cantenna/ '''Video - Making a Cantenna'''] The video shows, step-by-step, the building of a cantenna (antenna made from a can) for wireless networking (Wi-Fi, WLAN at 2.4 Ghz). Without audio, and with simple subtitles and clear pantomimic instructions, the video lends itself well to localisation. 

*[http://wndw.net/pdf/wndw-ebook.pdfBook '''Wireless Networking in the Developing World'''] The overall goal of this book is to help you build affordable communication technology in your local community by making best use of whatever resources are available. Using inexpensive off-the-shelf equipment and local sources for materials and fabricating parts yourself, you can build reliable network links with very little budget. By working with your local community, you can build a telecommunications infrastructure that benefits everyone who participates in it.