How to share files across the mesh (the missing manual)

Post date: Feb 14, 2016 7:56:55 PM

So I've been asked to describe the easiest way to share files across the mesh in preparation for the demo at ARES?RACES meeting tomorrow (15 Feb 2016). Here goes.

You need the following to get started:

  • 2 Laptops (both may be servers) and at least 2 nodes (you can mix AREDN and BBHN nodes, just change the SSID on the AREDN nodes to "BroadbandHamnet" in the node's "Basic Setup" so it play's well with the others)
  • If the server laptop is running a Linux-based OS, make sure you install samba and configure it to allow access to a shared folder named "Public" or something else. You may want to set up a user and password.
  1. Read this jokey article from the http://www.broadband-hamnet.org site: "Using the MESH (aka Examples how to move stuff over the mesh" what follows fills in some of the missing information.
  2. Power everything up and wait for everything to boot (DMZ light on--then off on nodes)
  3. Configure the laptops
    1. Disable wireless access
    2. create a folder and give it a name like "Mesh share"
    3. click on the Share with button and select "Homegroup (Read/Write)
    4. Go to the Control Panel
    5. Open the Network and Sharing Center icon
    6. Open the Change Network Connections link
    7. Open the Local Are Connection icon
    8. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IP) from the list
    9. click the Properties button
    10. Make sure that Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically are both selected
    11. click the OK button
  4. Connect a CAT6 patch cable from one of the laptops to LAN jacks (not the WLAN or "Internet" jack) one of the nodes. Do the same for the other laptop and node.
  5. Configure the server node(s) (follow along with this short/silent video)
    1. From the "front" page (http://localhost:8080) click the "Setup" button
    2. sign in with "root" and your password ("hsmm" is the default)
    3. In the LAN column, make sure that the LAN Mode is set to "5 host Direct". This is equivalent of configuring the DMZ as described in the article. (By the way, this is the default after "flashing" or upgrading the firmware.)
      • if you have to change this setting and are told to reboot after saving, reboot
      • wait 1 minute for the node to reboot
      • unplug the cable from the node, count to ten, then plug it back in to force the laptop to get a new IP address via DHCP
    4. Click the "Port Forwarding, DHCP, and Services" link
    5. Look on the bottom right under Current DHCP Leases. You should see your laptop's "name".
    6. Click the Add button next to your laptop's name and it should appear under "DHCP Address Reservations"
    7. Click the Save Changes button and wait for the "Configuration saved and is now active." message.
  1. There are at least 2 ways to access the laptop with the shared folder. I'll tell you the one based on the article. (You may also use the same address below to Map network drive.)
    1. Open the front page (http://localhost:8080) of the node connected to the client laptop
    2. Click the Node status link and then click on the Mesh Status button
    3. You should see the server's name in the Current Neighbors list, under it's node's name. Make a note of it.
    4. On the laptop, click the Start button
    5. In the Search programs and files window, type "\\server's_name_from_Current_Neighbors_list\Name_of_shared_folder" without the quotes, for example \\jna3-ME051\ARES_documents\
    6. If the shared folder requires a password (good security practice) then enter the required login name and password.
    7. Bing, you're connected!