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pkropf
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Mesh networking separate networks

Sat Jun 18, 2022 11:00 pm

I'm working on a few art cars that will be heading out to Burning Man this year. Each car has their own unique 192.168.x.x/24 network that connects the audio, lighting and flame effects control systems. One of the aspects of the audio system being used is that a deck defined as a primary can send audio to other decks configured to use the primary as their source. This happens over an IP network. I'd like to be able to allow the individual art cars to come together and have one serve as the primary and any others in range can then be secondary to form one massive audio space.

To do this, I'm hoping to be able to configure the wAP AC's that are on each car to allow them to mesh. The 2.4ghz radio would be set for local wifi access to each car. It allows for things like playing music via someone's iphone, running the lighting controller on an ipad, etc. The 5ghz radio would be configured to form the mesh. When any two cars are near enough, their network would be accessible via the other. With each car having their own unique 192.168.x.x/24 network, packets would be routed over the mesh from one car to the other.

Another option is that each car has one wAP AC for it's internal wifi network and a second specifically for the mesh.

Is this type of configuration possible on the wAP AC's? Is the idea of mesh networks coming together and breaking apart on a regular basis workable?

Any pointers or configuration thoughts would be appreciated.
 
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Ca6ko
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Re: Mesh networking separate networks

Mon Jun 20, 2022 11:34 am

You do not write the total number of cars and the distance between them.
In any case, I suggest splitting the communication between the cars and the network inside into different devices.
On the main car set OmniTIK 5 ac in access point mode on the other cars, if there is a specialist who will direct the antenna towards the main car then SXTsq 5 ac, if such a specialist will not and you need to gather the network automatically, then put on OmniTIK 5 ac in client mode (CPE).
It is not clear whether the network will have access to the Internet?
 
pkropf
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Re: Mesh networking separate networks

Tue Jun 21, 2022 5:11 am

There would be 6 to 8 cars. Distances between them will vary but they'll come together at planned locations and times. Ideally they'll be within 100 meters or so at those times.
They will not have Internet access.
I'd rather not have to point an antenna on each of the vehicles but realize that doing would be beneficial.

Thanks for the feedback.
 
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Ca6ko
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Re: Mesh networking separate networks

Tue Jun 21, 2022 6:58 pm

You need to operate with the maximum distance from the main machine (OmniTIK 5 ac access points) to the slave machine ( CPE station). At a distance of 100m wAP ac in station mode may not work steadily. Therefore, unequivocally use separate devices for communication between cars.
OmniTIK 5 ac access points have a circular antenna pattern, so they can create / receive interference around themselves other wifi networks. If no interference is expected then feel free to use the OmniTIK 5 ac on each car. Then you will get a universal circuit and if necessary you can assign OmniTIK 5 ac as an access point on any machine.
If it is expected that there may be other networks nearby or the distance from the access point to the farthest machine will be longer then it is better to use SXTsq 5 ac as a client they have an antenna with a gain of 16 dB and a narrower radiation pattern, greatly weaken the signal of the back lobe. It is possible to use SXTsq 5 ac on some machines and OmniTIK 5 ac on other machines.

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