We cannot predict how you will want to use the contents of this kit, but we can provide some suggested starting points:
- If you do not have a PC running Windows XP Pro, then please use Disk 6 to install it on the PC.
- On your Windows XP Pro PC, you can install the Mesh Software using Disk 1.
- Please make yourself familiar with the Publications folder on Disk 1.
- Disk 5 – Windows® CE 5.0 Evaluation Software.
- Optionally, you may want to install the software on Disks 2-5.
What you'll need to provide
For the system requirements of Disks 2-5, please see the documentation included on those disks. For Disk 1, a regular Windows XP Pro machine is required (this is why we include Windows XP Pro in the kit).
Basic Configuration for Mesh Networking
You will need mesh nodes in the form of devices running Windows XP SP2 or Windows CE. These nodes should be equipped with wireless network cards
We have tested MCL within Windows XP with the following wireless cards:
We have tested MCL within Windows CE on HP IPaq H6315
Note: MCL works on nodes equipped with a single WiFi card. However, for best performance we recommend that you use two WiFi cards per node. Many device drivers do not support multiple cards in the same machine, so you are better off using two cards from different vendors.
Our Lab Configuration: MeshBox Hardware
We recommend the following configuration of a “MeshBox”:Standard Reference PC Configuration
- Vendor: Logic Supply, Inc.
- Dimensions: 8.5” W X 8” H x 13” D
- Casing: Morex Venus 668
- VIA EPIA MII10000 mini-ITX motherboard
- VIA C3™ processor
- 2D/3D graphics with MPEG-2 Accelerator, motion compensation and duo-view support
- 512 MB DDR266 Memory CL2
- 40 GB 3.5” Seagate hard Drive
- CD ROM Driver 52x
- Back Panel I/O: 1 CardBus Type I and Type II slot, 1 CF slot, 1 RJ-45 LAN port, 1 PS2 mouse port, 1 PS2 keyboard port, 1 Serial port, 2 USB 2.0 ports, 1 VGA port, 1 RCA port (SPDIF or TV-Out), 1 S-Video port, 1 1394 port, 3 Audio jacks: line-out, line-in and mic-in
Network Cards
- Fast Ethernet 10/100 PHY-eiver onboard LAN
- Netgear ProSafeTM Dual Band Wireless PCI Adapter WAG311 – IEEE 802.11 a/b/g
- LinkSys Dual-Band Wireless A+G Notebook Adapter WPC55AG – IEEE 802.11 a/g
Basic Configuration for Virtual WiFi
You will need a laptops or desktops running Windows XP SP2.
We have tested Virtual WiFi with the following wireless cards: