How to configure a Linksys WRT54GL for the Scarborough Mesh
Preparatory
1. Download the latest English version (the one that ends in "-en.bin") of OpenWRT-Freifunk firmware from http://styx.commando.de/sven-ola/ipkg/_g+gl/ onto your computer.
2. Email a request for your own mesh IP address to David.
Firmware Upload
Warning :
Failure to follow this procedure to the word may result in your WRT54GL being rendered useless. Do not attempt to upload the firmware unless you understand these instructions.
1. Make sure that your computer network configuration is set to DHCP.
2. Run the blue network cable from one of the 4 LAN ports on the back of the WRT54GL to the network port on your computer.
3. Connect the WRT54GL to the power. Make sure that the power is plugged in securely and will not fail during the loading of the firmware.
4. Make sure that the WRT54GL is on and that the Power and WLAN lights are on and the DMZ light is off.
5. Switch on your computer and wait until it has finished booting completely.
6. Open your browser and type http://192.168.1.1 in the address bar. The Linksys page should load. Username is root and password is admin.
7. Select the Administration tab and then Firmware Upgrade.
8. Browse for the OpenWRT-Freifunk firmware .bin file that you downloaded earlier.
9. Click Upload and wait for 5 minutes. It is crucial that you do not interrupt this process.
10. Once 5 minutes are up, make sure that the Power and WLAN lights are on and the DMZ light is off.
11. Switch off the WRT54GL, wait 5 seconds, and switch it back on.
12. Type http://192.168.1.1 in your browser's address bar and enter. The Freifunk Welcome page should appear.
WRT54GL Configuration
1. Click on Admin. Username is root and password is admin.
2. Select the Password option and enter your own password in both boxes. Click Apply. Do not forget this password - it is irretrievable!
3. Change the following parameters by choosing the header, applying the changes and clicking Apply. Leave all unmentioned parameters unchanged. Substitute the last segment of your IP address for {x} in the table below.
| Header | Parameter | Setting |
|---|
| System | Host Name | scarborough-{x} |
| Domain | g7.org.za |
| DNS Server | 168.210.2.2 |
| Country | ZA - South Africa |
| OLSR | HNA4 | 192.168.{x}.0/24 |
| Wireless | WLAN-IP Address | 192.168.10.{x} |
| WLAN Netmask | 255.255.255.0 |
| WLAN Mode | Ad Hoc (Peer to Peer) |
| ESSID | communimesh |
| BSSID | 6a:54:d5:72:ab:d2 |
| Channel | 11 |
| RX Antenna | Antenna A |
| TX Antenna | Antenna A |
| Radio Mode | Mixed B/G |
| RTS Threshold | 250 |
| LAN | LAN Protocol | Static |
| LAN IP | 192.168.{x}.1 |
| LAN Netmask | 255.255.255.0 |
| Disable NAT | Checked |
| Disable Firewall | Checked |
| WAN | WAN Protocol | Disabled |
4. Click Restart and do a "Normal Restart" to reboot the router.
Final Configuration
1. Reboot your computer so that it picks up a new IP address from the WRT54GL.
2. Open your Browser and go to http://192.168.10.{x}. If your configuration is correct you should see your WRT54GL Welcome page.
3. Click on Status. Bookmark this page for quick access in the future. Under Neighbours you will see the IP addresses of your neighbours and your signal quality (ETX) with them.
4. The ETX shows the average number of times a packet of data has to be sent in order to be received successfully. So an ETX of 1.00 means no packets have to be resent and an ETX of 2.00 means half the packets have to be resent. An ETX of < 2.00 is a good signal. An ETX of > 3.00 indicates poor signal.
5. If you have no neighbours with an ETX of < 2.00 (or no neighbours at all), you will need to reposition your WRT54GL so that it gets better reception. Here are a few hints on getting good reception:
- Position the antennae straight up or straight down.
- Keep the power and network cables (and other metal and walls) as far away from the antennae as possible
- Position the WRT54GL as far away from the ground as possible
- Position the WRT54GL near a window in order to get a clear view of any neighbours that may be outside
- Due to the high frequency of the transmission, a small change in position may result in a large improvement in signal. Please be patient in finding the best position for your WRT54GL
6. Go to www.swug.za.net in your browser and bookmark it. This is the bulletin board that announces any current problems with the mesh. If you cannot access the Internet, this is the place to look. If you require further help, you may post a request for help here.
7. If you are using POP mail through Outlook (Express), Thunderbird or Eudora, change your SMTP (outgoing mail) server to 196.211.3.108 (no authentication).
Date/Time Configuration
This cannot be done through the web interface and requires a login using ssh (with Linux/Mac) or Putty (with Windows).
1. Log into your box using the IP address 192.168.10.{x} with username "root" and then type in the following commands followed by the Enter key:
2. nvram set ff_tz=GMT-2 (This sets the WRT's time zone.)
3. nvram commit (This commits the new time zone.)
4. rdate -s time.nrc.ca (This syncronizes the time with a time server.)
5. reboot (This reboots your WRT and your ssh connection will be closed.)