Click here to learn
about this Sponsor:
Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Polls  |  Forum

Keywords: Match:
X86 WiFi mesh routers run Debian Linux
Jun. 10, 2008

Saxnet is shipping three versions of its Debian Linux-powered wireless mesh-networking router. The standard Meshnode III offers a self-organizing transmission system with up to four 100 mW 802.11a/b/g radios, while a "Power" version ups the Wattage to 600 mW and a "Custom" version adds hardware customizability.

(Click for larger view of the Meshnode III Power)

"Mesh" routers such as the Meshnode III are designed for rapid deployment in areas lacking infrastructure. Typically, the routers discover one another transparently, and self-configure themselves into a daisy-chain arrangement, in which each router serves as a repeater for the others. Thus, users can extend the range of their network by adding more devices. Examples of other mesh routers include Libelium's Meshlium, the Meraki Mini, and the Marvell Libertas controller and radio built into the One Laptop per Child XO system.

The original Meshnode was a modest dual-radio device, but the Meshnode III is equipped with up to four "OSI Layer 2-compatible" radio modules, says the German networking equipment integrator. Announced in October, the Meshnode III offers one to four 100 mW radios for the standard model and four 600 mW radios for the Power model. Powered by 500MHz AMD Geode LX 700 CPUs, the Meshnode III models offer 128MB of RAM (512MB for the Power model), and 512MB of flash memory (1GB for the Power model). They are also equipped with wired Ethernet and USB ports.


Left to right: the Meshnode III, the Meshnode III Power, and the Meshnode III Custom
(Click to enlarge)

The Meshnode III supports IP69K protection-class standards with its water- and UV-resistant Makrolon casing, says Saxnet. Its heating and cooling system is said to help protect against temperatures ranging from -40 to +75 degrees C.

The Power model offers greater mesh coverage and more potential clients than the standard model, says Saxnet. The Custom model, meanwhile, offers a choice of WLAN cards, RAM size, filesystem allocations, and memory card capacity. Additionally, the Custom model offers an expansion slot of unspecified type within the enclosure, with the aim of letting users integrate the device with warehousing or production monitoring equipment.

For large networks, any Meshnode can be dedicated as a controller that runs network management and monitoring software. The Debian-based management software includes features such as graphical mapping of individual nodes, Saxnet says.

The Meshnode III's specs, which have changed somewhat since the original announcement, are listed as follows:
  • Processor -- 500MHz AMD Geode (X86) LX 700 (standard), 800, 900
  • Memory -- 128MB RAM (Power model 512MB)
  • Flash -- 512MB (Power model 1GB)
  • WLAN -- 1 to 4 x 802.11a/b/g radios (5GHz/2.4GHz/2.4GHz, respectively); Power model 4 x radios
  • WLAN aerial ports -- 8 x N-female (4 x diversity)
  • WLAN power -- 100 mW (Power model 600 mW)
  • Networking -- 1 x 10/100/1000 Ethernet
  • USB -- 1 x USB 2.0
  • Mesh technology -- OSI Layer 2 with ad-hoc and infrastructural mode
  • Security -- WEP/WPA/WPA2
  • Dimensions -- 14 x 11 x 3.9 inches (360 x 280 x 100 mm)
  • Weight -- 9.9 lbs (4.5 kg)
  • Power supply -- 90 - 264 VAC, 47 - 63 Hz
  • Operating temperature -- -40 to +75 degrees C (@ 100% humidity)
  • Operating system -- Debian GNU/Linux, with 2.6.21 kernel

Evolution of a Mesh router, left to right: the original Meshnode, the Meshnode III prototype,
and the shipping Meshnode III standard version

Availability

The Meshnode III is available now in its three configurations. Saxnet did not provide pricing for the various models.



Related Stories:


(Click here for further information)


FUEL Database on MontaVista Linux
Whether building a mobile handset, a car navigation system, a package tracking device, or a home entertainment console, developers need capable software systems, including an operating system, development tools, and supporting libraries, to gain maximum benefit from their hardware platform and to meet aggressive time-to-market goals.

Breaking New Ground: The Evolution of Linux Clustering
With a platform comprising a complete Linux distribution, enhanced for clustering, and tailored for HPC, Penguin Computing¿s Scyld Software provides the building blocks for organizations from enterprises to workgroups to deploy, manage, and maintain Linux clusters, regardless of their size.

Data Monitoring with NightStar LX
Unlike ordinary debuggers, NightStar LX doesn¿t leave you stranded in the dark. It¿s more than just a debugger, it¿s a whole suite of integrated diagnostic tools designed for time-critical Linux applications to reduce test time, increase productivity and lower costs. You can debug, monitor, analyze and tune with minimal intrusion, so you see real execution behavior. And that¿s positively illuminating.

Virtualizing Service Provider Networks with Vyatta
This paper highlights Vyatta's unique ability to virtualize networking functions using Vyatta's secure routing software in service provider environments.

High Availability Messaging Solution Using AXIGEN, Heartbeat and DRBD
This white paper discusses a high-availability messaging solution relying on the AXIGEN Mail Server, Heartbeat and DRBD. Solution architecture and implementation, as well as benefits of using AXIGEN for this setup are all presented in detail.

Understanding the Financial Benefits of Open Source
Will open source pay off? Open source is becoming standard within enterprises, often because of cost savings. Find out how much of a financial impact it can have on your organization. Get this methodology and calculator now, compliments of JBoss.

Embedded Hardware and OS Technology Empower PC-Based Platforms
The modern embedded computer is the jack of all trades appearing in many forms.

Data Management for Real-Time Distributed Systems
This paper provides an overview of the network-centric computing model, data distribution services, and distributed data management. It then describes how the SkyBoard integration and synchronization service, coupled with an implementation of the OMG¿s Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard, can be used to create an efficient data distribution, storage, and retrieval system.

7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.

 


Got a HOT tip?   please tell us!
Free weekly newsletter
Enter your email...
Click here for a profile of each sponsor:
PLATINUM SPONSORS
GOLD SPONSORS
(Become a sponsor)

ADVERTISEMENT
(Advertise here)

Check out the latest Linux powered...

mobile phones!

other cool
gadgets



BREAKING NEWS

• POS stack targets Linux netbooks
• RIP LinuxWorld
• Multi-core networking stack ported to PowerPC
• Major Mono rev ships
• ETX module targets military apps
• Linux netbook return rates higher?
• Italian carrier ships Linux MID
• 5-second Linux boots on low-powered hardware
• MontaVista "Summit" concludes
• Freescale to jettison cellular chip business
• Open-source server appliance is "free"
• MontaVista Linux drives Dell's quick-boot feature
• "Virtual platform" targets Linux device developers
• Mobile Linux platform supports Cortex-A8 SoC
• Linux design targets 802.11n-enabled homes


Most popular stories -- past 90 days:
• Open source phone goes mass-market
• Tinest Linux system, yet?
• Garmin Nav devices run Gnome Linux
• ARM9 board boots Debian in 0.69 seconds
• Low-cost laptop runs Linpus Linux
• Linux-friendly Beagle fetches $150
• Mini Linux PC breaks $100 barrier
• Open source camera records geotagged video to SATA HDD
• Open set-top box ships
• First $100 laptop runs Linux


DesktopLinux headlines:
• RIP LinuxWorld
• Testers sought for Blackberry-Linux sync software
• Google updates photo editor for Linux
• Major Mono rev ships
• Intrepid Ibex beta-tests
• Linux netbook returns higher?
• Open-source image editing project launches
• Linux Foundation launches end-user conference
• GNOME 2.24 gains "Empathy" IM
• gOS 3.0 goes gold


Also visit our sister site:


Sign up for LinuxDevices.com's...

news feed

Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Polls  |  Forum  |  About  |  Contact
 

Ziff Davis Enterprise Home | Contact Us | Advertise | Link to Us | Reprints | Magazine Subscriptions | Newsletters
Tech RSS Feeds | White Papers | ROI Calculators | Tech Podcasts | Tech Video | VARs | Channel News

Baseline | Careers | Channel Insider | CIO Insight | DesktopLinux | DeviceForge | DevSource | eSeminars |
eWEEK | Enterprise Network Security | LinuxDevices | Linux Watch | Microsoft Watch | Mid-market | Networking | PDF Zone |
Publish | Security IT Hub | Strategic Partner | Web Buyer's Guide | Windows for Devices

Developer Shed | Dev Shed | ASP Free | Dev Articles | Dev Hardware | SEO Chat | Tutorialized | Scripts |
Code Walkers | Web Hosters | Dev Mechanic | Dev Archives | igrep

Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Except where otherwise specified, the contents of this site are copyright © 1999-2008 Ziff Davis Enterprise Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff Davis Enterprise is prohibited. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.