'LibreRouter' which constructs a cheap and wide-ranging mesh network in a region where communication means are limited

Wherever you go in the city, public radio waves and radio waves of mobile phones are on the verge of flight, and the net environment is quite substantial even outdoors. However, in the remote areas far from the city, the communication environment can not be improved, there are situations where the communication means in the town is only a few internet lines and antennas for mobile carriers. " LibreRouter " is a project to improve the communication environment by constructing a cheap and simple mesh network in rural areas where such a communication environment is disadvantageous.

librerouter.org/
https://librerouter.org/

LibreRouter: Powering community networks with free and open hardware | APNIC Blog
https://blog.apnic.net/2018/12/18/librerouter-powering-community-networks-with-free-and-open-hardware/

For example, if there is only one Wi - Fi router in the community, it is impossible to connect to the Internet unless it is within the reach of Wi - Fi radio waves. Of course there is also a solution such as "to make a new communication antenna tower for mobile phones just next to the community" and "to further extend the Internet line", but it costs considerably, and in a practical way for small communities There is none.

Therefore, if mesh networks are constructed using a mesh-compatible router called LibreRouter and software developed by open source, there is no need to take a troublesome process of newly reworking the line, and it is possible to eliminate the inflection of the infrastructure, You will be able to use it.

LibreRouter as hardware was set and developed with the goal of "mesh network enabling approach" "efficiency that can be expanded without affecting speed" "difficult to break" "affordable". 5 GHz Wi-Fi for mesh networking that enables long distance point-to-point and 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi for local access, 128 GB DDR RAM, 16 MB Flash memory - Mini PCIe for expansion Port is installed.

LibreRouter is designed to be very simple under the idea that "you should replace the parts if it breaks." Nicolas Pace, member of LiberRouter says, "We had to design the router to suit the needs of the community we actually use, not the needs of the manufacturer."

To operate LibreRouter, we use software developed based on OpenWRT . For example, to create a mesh network we use "LibreMesh" software. This software aims to simplify mesh network configuration including IP address assignment and automation of mesh DNS configuration. Since these software is developed as open source, not only is it possible to reduce the introduction of the system cheaply, it is a great advantage that anyone can customize it according to the needs of the community.

The network formed by LibreMesh can be monitored and managed with software called "LimeApp". In addition, "LibreNet 6" which is a VPN (Virtual Private Network) that can interconnect networks equipped with LibreMesh is also available.

Although LibreRouter is still in the prototype stage at the time of article writing, it is said that it is going well with the test using 5 GHz Wi-Fi in the outdoors, it is used in the community network of Argentina, Mexico, Canada and Spain It is said that it is. In addition, according to the questionnaire survey, the interest of the community network in Thailand, Singapore and India is also gaining attention, and the project team of LibreRouter expects more than 2,500 demand in the next 2 years.