Tiny Wireless Device for $US 50: Meraki Mini

Posted November 22nd, 2006 by samiam

Hardware

http://www.meraki.net/mini.html

Meraki Mini
Meraki Mini Hardware Specifications

* 180MHz MIPS CPU (Atheros AR2315 SoC)
* 8MB Flash, 32MB SDRAM
* 60mW 802.11b/g radio
* External RP-SMA antenna connector, internal chip diversity antenna
* 10/100 Mbit/s auto-crossover Ethernet port
* Headers for 3.3v serial port, GPIO pins
* 5.6-18V DC tolerance, for use in developing countries or with batteries
* Power-over-Ethernet support (non-802.3af)

The Meraki Minis include one 2dBi antenna and a 7.5V DC power supply. The Meraki Mesh firmware is also configured to let users login over ssh and experiment with their own software. Custom USB-serial adapters designed for the Mini are available though the Summer Beta program.

The Meraki port of Linux 2.6 for the Mini is available at www.meraki.net/linux. It includes a new Ethernet driver and watchdog timer support for the AR2315.

OpenWRT firmware available: Download

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Minitar replacement

On November 22nd, 2006 Didz says:

I wonder how well they perform against a Minitar MNWAPB.

Mesh application

On November 22nd, 2006 robert says:

OpenWRT,looks like a great unit for mesh aplications, quite a nice client unit too.

Fit nicely in some PVC tub with end caps, you could pop a home-brew antenna inside with it, and it would be all nicely waterproof. Then use a hose clamp to attach it to a simple mast.

Mesh

On November 23rd, 2006 sk2 says:

Yeah they look very tempting. Now that the R100s are a thing of the past if these can do OpenWRT (which it looks like they do), they would be suitable.
Will have to look into them further.

Purchase Inquiery

On November 29th, 2006 ross says:

E-mailed the company requesting information on purchasing one and got the following response the next morning:-

Thanks for your interest. Because the product is still in beta (albeit the end of beta), we haven't started shipping to resellers just yet. However, you can get products for testing as a beta customer. Information on how to get started is attached. Pricing-- including shipping costs-- is available at the online store described in the attachment. If you have any questions, please just let me know.

Here is the text from the PDF - I have removed the password for the login - does not appear to be a big secret but then it seems inappropriate to post it on a public forum. If you want it then please email to either the company directly or myself using your Air-Stream mail address.

Appears that the Meraki Manage web interface is a subscription license - yuk! Though obviously if OpenWRT can be run on the units then that can be circumvented. Follow the url below to read up on Meraki Manage

Welcome to the Meraki Beta!

Thanks for your interest in the Meraki Beta. We’re looking forward to working with you!

The beta period provides you with an opportunity to use our technology before it is generally available, while allowing us to incorporate your suggestions into the final product.

The beta product suite includes everything you need to setup and run a wireless mesh network, including:

• Meraki Mini, a small 802.11b/g access point • Meraki Mesh Firmware, which provides mesh routing • Meraki Manage, which lets you manage your mesh network using the web

Support Meraki will provide email support for escalations. We can also help you design your network.

Timeline The beta period will run until mid November.

Pricing and Resale The Meraki product suite is available in two specially discounted packages during the beta period:

• $89 Mini, Firmware, and 2 years of Meraki Manage Community Edition • $49 Mini, Firmware, and 3 months of Meraki Manage Community Edition

Meraki Manage lets you administer, monitor, brand, and control access to your network. See http://store.meraki.net/subscriptions.html for more information.

Beta units are for end user use only and not for resale. To help us get good feedback on our mesh technology, we ask beta customers to order at least 3 units.

Next Steps To get started, login to http://store.meraki.net with username “XXXXX” and password “XXXXX”. On the store you will find more product and subscription information, and also be able to order beta products. Thanks again for participating!