Essential Resources:
Learning Outcomes
- How to set up mesh network using off-the-shelf hardware.
- Understanding which scenarios are best served by a mesh network.
- Learning how to host and share files across a mesh network.
Materials Needed
A computer or device with Zoom installed, with camera and microphone.
Raspberry Pi 3+ with an SD card already flashed with Raspbian Lite.
Ethernet cable and adapter for connecting our Pi to our computer.
A WiFi radio that supports “mesh” mode. See this document for models and purchasing links.
A simple website to share over the network.
Prerequisites
No experience necessary, although one would benefit from having taken the Command Line for Creatives session beforehand.
Patience and perseverance.
Session Description:
In this hands-on workshop, we will learn how to build and configure our own long-range mesh networks using ESP32 devices equipped with LoRa, Bluetooth, and WiFi capabilities running Meshtastic. Meshtastic provides a user-friendly platform for connecting to and configuring ESP32 boards through a mobile app, enabling us to easily set up resilient networks independent of traditional infrastructure. We’ll also explore how to create secure chat rooms and communication channels with customizable privacy levels.
Throughout the session, we’ll cover:
- Using our web browser to configure ESP32 devices with Meshtastic firmware
- Connecting and further configuring devices using the Meshtastic mobile application
- Creating and expanding mesh networks for extended range communication
- Creating secure communication channels and with optional privacy settings
