#+STARTUP: overview #+TITLE: nycemesh notes * <2023-11-09 Thu> --------------------------------------------------------- configuring omnitik routerOS the default screen when i navigate to http://192.168.88.1/ it then re-routes me to http://192.168.88.1/webfig/#System:Reset_Configuration.Default_Configuration which shows the following page in the "Quick Set" menu: RouterOS v6.48.7 (long-term) The following default configuration has been installed on your router: Welcome to RouterOS! 1) Set a strong router password in the System > Users menu 2) Upgrade the software in the System > Packages menu 3) Enable firewall on untrusted networks 4) Set your country name to observe wireless regulations ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- RouterMode: * WAN port is protected by firewall and enabled DHCP client * Wireless and Ethernet interfaces (except WAN port/s) are part of LAN bridge LAN Configuration: IP address 192.168.88.1/24 is set on bridge (LAN port) DHCP Server: enabled; DNS: enabled; wlan1 Configuration: mode: ap-bridge; band: 5ghz-a/n/ac; tx-chains: 0;1; rx-chains: 0;1; installation: outdoor; wpa2: no; ht-extension: 20/40/80mhz-XXXX; WAN (gateway) Configuration: gateway: ether1 ; ip4 firewall: enabled; NAT: enabled; DHCP Client: enabled; * <2023-11-23 Thu> --------------------------------------------------------- ** diy installation for nycmesh (continued) happy thanksgiving! today was a busy day w. this DIY installation. i managed to do the following: - added another tap-screw in j-pipe and antenna mast - this was much easier now that i had the proper cobalt drill bit. it still was work in the sense that i needed to manipulate the drill some for the drill bit to catch on the metal pipe properly. this was a second hole in the pipe. since the first one held up very nicely i decided to drill a hole perpendicular to that one to stop the pipe from rotating in the opposite axis. i initially had the pipe mounted w/ one screw and began drilling into the j-pipe and finally got it to reach the stainless steel pipe. it was not going to penetrate the stainless steel pipe this way but it at least left a drill mark. i then took the pipe down and drilled it on the ground to get the hole thru. it was then super easy to mount the pipe back on and drill the hole w/ the tap screw. - remounted antennas and aligned the LBE - i added the antennas back on the mast but used electrical tape on the pipe (i noticed pix from other ppls installs that did this) so that the clamp would get a nice grip w/out any weird slippage. the bubble level on the LBE did not line up properly so i eventually added a wedged of electric tap to make sure it lined up properly. - logged into the LBE via its wifi access and was able to use my web browser to align the antenna http://192.168.172.1/#align-antenna. - i was getting these signal levels: - local signal per chain -47 dBm - remote signal per chain -46 dBm - made a new crimp leading to the omnitik antenna - this took me awhile; i now know i need a small pair of sharp needle-nose scissors to expedite this process along a bit further. - ran the POE cable to the 2nd floor - i made a few service cable loops out of the omnitik and even wrapped it around a couple roof structures and dropped off the roof. i fastened it to hook that was present near the 3rd floor window and another one at the 2nd floor window as well. i even created a drip loop outside the window. the cable starting at the omnitik measured 193 meters and when i made my final cut to bring thru the window it measured 215 meters. 215-193=23 meters which is ~75.5 feet of cable - pulled the cable through hole in the window frame - made another crimp terminating the cable from the omnitik. - plugged everything in and tested inet connectivity (speed test...etc.) - took an install pix and posted on nycmesh slack (https://slack.nycmesh.net/) * <2023-11-24 Fri> --------------------------------------------------------- ** diy installation for nycmesh (continued) - measured how long i'll need an ethernet cable from the POE data only to my router. the measurements i got are 2 + 5 + 5 + 4 + 10 + 2 + (8 + 4) = 40 feet * <2023-11-25 Sat> --------------------------------------------------------- ** diy installation for nycmesh (continued) - installed weather stripping under window and screen. - used 'Frost King EPDM Ribbed Profile Self-Stick Weatherseal' - 3/8 in wide x 1/8 in thick x 17 ft long - very easy to cut w/ scissors - purchased the following to run ethernet to the router - UGREEN RJ45 Coupler Ethernet Extender 1000Mbps (2 pack) https://www.amazon.com/UGREEN-Coupler-Ethernet-Extender-Adapter/dp/B016B13UDK - Jadaol Cat 6 Ethernet Cable 50 ft, Outdoor&Indoor 10Gbps Support Cat8 Cat7 Network, Flat High Speed RJ45 Internet LAN https://www.amazon.com/Cat-Ethernet-Cable-White-Connectors/dp/B00WD017GQ $10.39 * <2023-11-30 Thu> --------------------------------------------------------- - added ethernet coupler to data cable coming off of POE injector; ran ethernet cable extension throughout room and connected to wifi router. - what would someone do now that they have 2 ISPs delivering inet to their spot. they could use nycmesh for some time then switch back to their paid ISP. to compare the two they'd need to buy a router w/ multiple WAN ports or another router w/ routing turned off (dumb router) to the other router. then change routing on their network to allow certain computers to access the inet thru the 'dumb' router. - my speed tests were quite nice then i realized that my in-the-wall wired cabling is broken. more to come is i try and crimp / patch the ethernet terminators. the original cable installer created a hot mess ! ** some thoughts on nycmesh ux assessment https://nycmesh.slack.com/archives/C06H99CGY/p1700438157210949 https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1oFOaihV2rB5D3QikrlEOqNK56CetrGw7/edit - slide #6 - '...Users asked to tell admin if there is already a Mesh install in their building...' and 'How would they know ?' - is nycmesh able to figure this out ? - does nycmesh keep addresses on where nodes are located ? - if not; does the LBE equipment report lon/lat info ? - slide #7 - dunno if this is done already but it may make sense for a 'reconnaissance volunteer' to simply visit the premises prior to an install. they could create a checklist of what needs to be done and list out any issues that may come up for the installation team. maybe give an estimation to the customer and install team on how much time the installation will take. what the total install cost will be. - take pictures - warnings of tight spots, suggestions for equipment..etc. - can act as an additional liaison between the nycmesh and install team. - this may make it more real for those that want to 'talk' to an actual person, ask questions...etc. (lol...this is how i am) - slide #9 - '...Gather required install equipment...' - see comment above about 'slide #7' - 'Install Completion' - work w/ 'recon volunteer' (nycmesh liaison) on 'closing out the tix' - 'Install Follow-ups' - this may be a time to ask new members to make sure they've participated in a monthly donation to nycmesh. i feel this may also prompt them to reflect on the service or any other problems, questions, or concerns. - slide #10 - i agree that it is a bit unclear here - i simply followed the directions and submitted a response email w/ panoramic photos. i know i wanted to do a DIY install but i was a bit hesitant to buy my own equipment w/out talking to other mesh members beforehand. - what helped me was to go to the in-person meetups and ask questions (and keep asking questions) - maybe we can persuade/navigate newcomers to a 'particular slack channel' where they can/should ask questions. - slide #11-12 - i like the changes ! - in the end i believe ppl who are going to join are really those who believe in the mission of nycmesh. letting them know up-front that it is volunteer led and there can (and will) be issues. they will need to be patient and possibly assist in diagnosing a problem when it comes up. * <2023-12-10 Sun> --------------------------------------------------------- - was able to fix the wired ethernet in our walls. seems there were a number of issues: 1. poor wiring for ethernet - on the patch panel it seemed that 'someone' just pushed wires into them w/out using a punchdown tool. - the wires were unraveled and out of their outer protective sheath. 2. the wires were configured for the 'T568A' configuration where all wiring everywhere else in our network uses 'T568B' - this may FINALLY explain why the speeds were so slow. i think that we were only operating on 4 wires not all 8. - when cable tests were performed i saw the numbers come back like so: |-------------+------------------| | main tester | secondary tester | |-------------+------------------| | 1 | 3 | | 2 | 6 | | 3 | 1 | | 4 | 4 | | 5 | 5 | | 6 | 2 | | 7 | 7 | | 8 | | |-------------+------------------| - the 'main tester' always displayed the numbers in the correct order; but the 'secondary tester' displayed them in the order listed in the table above. i realized at some point that i was getting numbers where it seemed as thou the wires are 'T568A' instead of the standard 'T568B'. at one point i did my punchdown on the keystone jack again cuz i thought i did something incorrectly. - i didnt realize that for Fast Ethernet (100 Mbit/s) you only need pins 1, 2, 3 and 6. - i [[file:pix/house_wiring/][attached a bunch of pix]] of the bad wiring as well as a few of the improved rewiring on one of the keystone jacks. - references https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+to+test+an+Ethernet+Cable/158750 * <2024-01-16 Tue> --------------------------------------------------------- after going to nycmesh mtg was able to figure out how to get access to my OmniTIK 5 POE ac router from inside my LAN. the clues are inside of 'nycmesh_repo/omnitik/omni-only.rsc' * <2024-02-13 Tue> --------------------------------------------------------- so we have a snow storm hitting our area today and it affects the antennas. it appears as the hub in my area is down and it has the following nodes connected to it. - 1635 hub - 542 - 320 - 48 - 5218 - 546 - 7817 - 405 - 3641 - 425 - 335 - 2616 - 5473 * speed tests -------------------------------------------------------------- the following are speed tests run from NN546 |------------+-----------------+---------------+--------------| | date | download (Mbps) | upload (Mbps) | server | |------------+-----------------+---------------+--------------| | 2023-11-12 | 134.03 | 94.34 | Pilot Fiber | | 2023-11-13 | 177.48 | 127.64 | Wnet | | 2023-11-23 | 245.35 | 146.68 | GSL Networks | | 2023-11-25 | 210.48 | 135.08 | Pilot Fiber | | 2023-11-26 | 185.24 | 130.68 | Pilot Fiber | | 2023-11-30 | 199.01 | 149.37 | Pilot Fiber | |------------+-----------------+---------------+--------------| * supply checklist --------------------------------------------------------- - [ ] drill - [ ] cobalt drill bit - need if drilling thru concrete and/or stainless steel - should be able to fit the size of the tap screws you may need to use - [ ] tap screws - much needed if hold two pieces of metal together w/out the need of adding nuts / bolts. - [ ] clamps - [ ] marker, pencil, pen - [ ] masking tape - great for marking / measuring prior to install for drilling..etc. - [ ] electrical tape - useful to add clamps to so that slippage of antenna is minimized - patch wires...etc. - [ ] packing tape - great for creating a protective layer over masking tape, if needed for labeling..etc. - to add on cables, antennas, routers..etc. - [ ] measuring tape - [ ] self-adhesive mounting tape - great for lining ethernet cable along baseboards / wall w/o hammering mounting clamps - [ ] suggestions - [ ] antenna placement - if antennas use the same mast; place omnitik higher than LBE - [ ] plug the POE injector into an AC outlet as soon as you can get to a power source - helps w/ data speeds - [ ] headlamp - useful for handsfree lighting - [ ] rubberized gloves - protects hands w/ sharp objects - [ ] protective eye gear - protects eyes when drilling - laser measurer may be preferable for larger distances - [ ] wire cutter - [ ] antenna mast - [ ] batteries - any extras for whatever equipment you bring - [ ] j-pipe - [ ] cat 6 outdoor rated ethernet cable - [ ] indoor ethernet cable(s) - to reach router - [ ] ethernet coupler(s) - used to connect/extend data from POE injector to router - [ ] extra patch cables for testing - [ ] RJ45 pass through connectors (metal crimps) - [ ] needle nose pliers - [ ] wrenches - [ ] phillip / flathead screwdrivers - [ ] 9V battery - [ ] zip ties - [ ] cable fasteners ?? - [ ] crimper - [ ] punchdown tool - if messing about w/ patch panels and/or keystone jacks - [ ] scissors - [ ] box cutter - [ ] self-stick weatherseal - [ ] plastic bag - for trash - [ ] AC extension power cord - [ ] router - [ ] reminders - [ ] pay install fee; if applicable - [ ] schedule monthly donation on website * glossary ----------------------------------------------------------------- - Omnitik antenna = OMNI - LiteBeam antenna = LBE - power over ethernet = POE - passive POE = always on - 8P8C = eight position, eight contact - https://www.arrow.com/en/research-and-events/articles/rj45-connectors * references ** nycmesh - https://wiki.mesh.nycmesh.net - https://status.nycmesh.net - https://www.nycmesh.net/map - https://docs.nycmesh.net/ ** Omnitik - https://mikrotik.com/product/rbomnitikpg_5hacd - https://help.mikrotik.com/docs/display/UM/OmniTIK+series - 'RBOmniTikPG-5HacD (OmniTIK 5 PoE ac)' is the one i have - RouterOS - https://help.mikrotik.com/docs/display/ROS/