How to join an OpenWrt 802.11s mesh with Debian GNU/Linux

Installing and Using OpenWrt
1

Dear all,

I have a working OpenWRT 802.11s mesh with 3 APs in range. The mesh is transmitting on 5ghz and I have APs on 2.4 Ghz. This is working quite well and I get good bandwidth.

Now I would like my laptop to join the 5Ghz mesh. My laptop is running Debian GNU/Linux with an Atheros 10 wireless card, which supports mesh modes.

How do I join the mesh using the laptop? Did anyone succeed in joining a mesh under Debian?

Kind regards,
FFries

2

join as in a node, or as a client ?

3

Thank you for this prompt reply!

Reading your answer, I understand there are two modes, which I was not aware of.

My laptop #1 card supports both modes ("join mesh" and "mesh point"). It has an Atheros 10k recent WIFI-ac card, which I bought to benefit from mesh modes (as my APs mesh are running an Atheros too).

iw list | grep mesh
		 * mesh point
		 * set_mesh_config
		 * join_mesh
		 * #{ managed } <= 2, #{ AP, mesh point, P2P-client, P2P-GO } <= 2, #{ P2P-device } <= 1,
		 * #{ managed } <= 2, #{ P2P-client } <= 2, #{ AP, mesh point, P2P-GO } <= 1, #{ P2P-device } <= 1,
		 * mesh point: 0x00 0x10 0x20 0x30 0x40 0x50 0x60 0x70 0x80 0x90 0xa0 0xb0 0xc0 0xd0 0xe0 0xf0
		 * mesh point: 0xb0 0xc0 0xd0

My other laptop #2 also supports both modes. It has an Intel Corporation Wireless 8260 (rev 3a) wireless card. It does not show "Managed" information (I don't know what it is).

iw list | grep mesh
		 * set_mesh_config
		 * join_mesh
		 * mesh point: 0x00 0x10 0x20 0x30 0x40 0x50 0x60 0x70 0x80 0x90 0xa0 0xb0 0xc0 0xd0 0xe0 0xf0
		 * mesh point: 0xb0 0xc0 0xd0

So I would say I would like to join as in a node to benefit from mesh.
But I am interested in both modes.

I wonder if there is a "Debian" way to join the mesh or if Gnome Network-manager can be used. Thanks.

4

Using grep to query modes was not a good idea.

Only the first laptop with Atheros card supports mesh point.
Here is the output:

iw list

	Supported interface modes:
		 * IBSS
		 * managed
		 * AP
		 * monitor
		 * mesh point
		 * P2P-client
		 * P2P-GO
		 * P2P-device

The other Intel card does not seem to support mesh point:

iw list

	Supported interface modes:
		 * IBSS
		 * managed
		 * AP
		 * AP/VLAN
		 * monitor
		 * P2P-client
		 * P2P-GO
		 * P2P-device

Does it mean that the Atheros can act as a mesh node AND join a mesh, when the second card can only join a mesh AND NOT act as a node. Thanks.

5

If "mesh point" is not listed under supported interface modes, mesh operation is not possible. Intel cards have limited Linux support.

Since 802.11s is an IEEE standard, it should be platform-agnostic. How to configure 802.11s on Debian is outside the scope of this forum.

1 Like
6

I understand, thanks. Will try on my side.
I am glad I purchased this atheros card.

7

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