Mesh Network with Wireless BeagleBone Black

Maria Valero

I bought several wireless BeagleBone Black to my research. The plan is to make a mesh network (ad-hoc mode) with the BBBWs and process some data between them.

However, I recently realize that BBBWs Wifi driver is Wl18xx and it does not support ad-hoc mode....

Is there a way to configure ad-hoc or mesh-point modes on this BBBW.?

Thanks

Maria

over 7 years ago

0 dale over 7 years ago

TI__Expert 6335 points

Maria,

We have assigned your post to the relevant engineer and will get back to you.

0 Maria Valero over 7 years ago in reply to dale

Prodigy 100 points

Thank you! I'll wait

0 Eyal Reizer over 7 years ago in reply to Maria Valero

TI__Mastermind 20285 points

Hi,

Please check the following document for using mesh with wilink8.

You need to make sure you are using our latest release (R8.7_SP2) or latest mainline as mesh was added just recently.

BR,

Eyal

0 Maria Valero over 7 years ago in reply to Eyal Reizer

Prodigy 100 points

Hi Eyal

Yes, I had that document and I was trying to build the image using this another document:

However, I had experience a lot or problems. I have solved many of them, but I reach one point I don't know what the error means...

Do you have a image that works for Wireless BeagleBone Black?

Please see the error here

Building backport-include/backport/autoconf.h ... done.
  CC [M]  /home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless/compat/main.o
  CC [M]  /home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless/net/wireless/core.o
  CC [M]  /home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless/compat/backport-3.13.o
  CC [M]  /home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless/compat/backport-3.14.o
  CC [M]  /home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless/net/wireless/sysfs.o
  CC [M]  /home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless/compat/backport-3.15.o
  CC [M]  /home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless/compat/backport-3.17.o
  CC [M]  /home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless/compat/backport-3.18.o
  CC [M]  /home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless/net/wireless/radiotap.o
  CC [M]  /home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless/compat/backport-3.19.o
  CC [M]  /home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless/net/wireless/util.o
  CC [M]  /home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless/compat/backport-4.0.o
  CC [M]  /home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless/net/wireless/reg.o
  CC [M]  /home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless/compat/backport-4.1.o
  CC [M]  /home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless/compat/backport-4.2.o
  CC [M]  /home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless/compat/backport-4.3.o
  CC [M]  /home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless/compat/backport-4.4.o
  CC [M]  /home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless/compat/backport-4.5.o
  CC [M]  /home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless/net/wireless/scan.o
/home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless/compat/backport-4.4.c: In function ‘backport_tso_build_hdr’:
/home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless/compat/backport-4.4.c:103:6: error: dereferencing pointer to incomplete type
/home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless/compat/backport-4.4.c:106:40: error: dereferencing pointer to incomplete type
/home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless/compat/backport-4.4.c:110:7: error: dereferencing pointer to incomplete type
/home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless/compat/backport-4.4.c:111:7: error: dereferencing pointer to incomplete type
/home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless/compat/backport-4.4.c:112:7: error: dereferencing pointer to incomplete type
/home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless/compat/backport-4.4.c: In function ‘backport_tso_start’:
/home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless/compat/backport-4.4.c:140:2: error: implicit declaration of function ‘tcp_hdr’ [-Werror=implicit-function-declaration]
/home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless/compat/backport-4.4.c:140:17: error: invalid type argument of ‘->’ (have ‘int’)
/home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless/compat/backport-4.4.c:140:17: error: invalid type argument of ‘->’ (have ‘int’)
/home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless/compat/backport-4.4.c:140:17: error: invalid type argument of ‘->’ (have ‘int’)
/home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless/compat/backport-4.4.c:140:17: error: invalid type argument of ‘->’ (have ‘int’)
/home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless/compat/backport-4.4.c:140:17: error: invalid type argument of ‘->’ (have ‘int’)
/home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless/compat/backport-4.4.c:140:17: error: invalid type argument of ‘->’ (have ‘int’)
cc1: some warnings being treated as errors
make[6]: *** [/home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless/compat/backport-4.4.o] Error 1
make[5]: *** [/home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless/compat] Error 2
make[5]: *** Waiting for unfinished jobs....
  CC [M]  /home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless/net/wireless/nl80211.o
  CC [M]  /home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless/net/wireless/mlme.o
  CC [M]  /home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless/net/wireless/ibss.o
  CC [M]  /home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless/net/wireless/sme.o
  CC [M]  /home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless/net/wireless/chan.o
  CC [M]  /home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless/net/wireless/ethtool.o
  CC [M]  /home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless/net/wireless/mesh.o
  CC [M]  /home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless/net/wireless/ap.o
  CC [M]  /home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless/net/wireless/trace.o
  CC [M]  /home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless/net/wireless/ocb.o
  CC [M]  /home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless/net/wireless/debugfs.o
  LD [M]  /home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless/net/wireless/cfg80211.o
make[4]: *** [_module_/home/sensorfield/wl8-build/build-utilites/src/compat_wireless] Error 2
make[3]: *** [modules] Error 2
make[2]: *** [modules] Error 2
make[1]: *** [modules] Error 2
make: *** [default] Error 2
****** ERROR 0 *******

I really appreciate your help on this....

Thanks

Maria

0 Maria Valero over 7 years ago in reply to Maria Valero

Prodigy 100 points

Do you have a compiled image we can use directly on WBBB??? In that way I can easily follow the steps in the PDF file you provided.

Thanks

Maria

0 Eyal Reizer over 7 years ago in reply to Maria Valero

TI__Mastermind 20285 points

Hi Maria,

I believe that the BBBW comes ready with functional image where wifi is working. Isn't it the case?
What kernel version do you have on it? In case you are using a >4.4 kernel on the BBBW those build errors are expected as the drivers have been developed using K4.4 and you are trying to build using backports with a newer kernel that was supported with this release.

In case of using Kernel 4.9.x for example it is better to just use the in-tree wl18xx drivers and just try using mesh.

Best Regards,
Eyal

0 Maria Valero over 7 years ago in reply to Eyal Reizer

Prodigy 100 points

Hi Eyal

Yes, the BBBW has a functional image. I can connect internet and other Wifi networks without problems. But, I cannot create a mesh network with ad-hoc mode. The BBBW has kernel 4.4.30-ti-r64

Any recommendation?

Thanks

0 Eyal Reizer over 7 years ago in reply to Maria Valero

TI__Mastermind 20285 points

Understood.

You need to be on a 4.9.x based image to have the mesh related patches mostly in-tree.

You can try to see if there is already an updated image for BBBW which is based on the latest ti kernel?

Otherwise you would need to continue using the build script with the offical R8.7_SP2 and build with the sources of your 4.4.30-ti based kernel.

Best Regards,

Eyal

0 Eyal Reizer over 7 years ago in reply to Eyal Reizer

TI__Mastermind 20285 points

Hi,

Seems like the is a newer kernel for BBBW that may make it easier for you...

elinux.org/Beagleboard:BeagleBoneBlack_Debian

Perhaps you can just upgrade your kernel that is running on the board from v4.4 to v4.9?
I suggest you look at this page:
wiki.debian.org/HowToUpgradeKernel

Best Regards,
Eyal

0 Maria Valero over 7 years ago in reply to Eyal Reizer

Prodigy 100 points

Hi Eyal

I upgraded my BBBW kernel to v4.9 following the suggestions here: wiki.debian.org/HowToUpgradeKernel .... Now my uname -r result is

root@beaglebone:~# uname -r
4.9.59-ti-rt-r74

I configured my mesh network by updating /etc/network/interfaces
______________________________________________
auto wlan0
iface wlan0 inet static
address 10.0.0.121
netmask 255.255.255.0
wireless-channel 1
wireless-essid meshNetwork
wireless-mode ad-hoc
_______________________________________________

When I restart the networking service, I continue having the same error (ad-hoc mode not supported)

root@beaglebone:~# ifdown wlan0
root@beaglebone:~# ifup wlan0
Error for wireless request "Set Mode" (8B06) :
SET failed on device wlan0 ; Operation not supported.

This is the same error I got when I was using kernel 4.4.30. I have tested this configuration on other devices BBB+dongle and Raspberry Pi and it works perfectly. The problem is I have around 70 BBBW and I need to make them work.

Any other suggestion????

Thanks

Maria

0 Maria Valero over 7 years ago in reply to Eyal Reizer

Prodigy 100 points

Hi Eyal

I am able to see the mesh point mode now on my BBBWs. However, I have some problems with the configuration.

Can you provide the mesh_start.sh and mesh_join.sh scripts, so I can take a look on the configuration?

Thanks

Maria

0 Eyal Reizer over 7 years ago in reply to Maria Valero

TI__Mastermind 20285 points

Hi Maria,

Latest scripts are all here:

Eyal

0 Maria Valero over 7 years ago in reply to Eyal Reizer

Prodigy 100 points

Hi Eyal

I finally created the mesh network on BBBW!!!!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What I did:

1. Generate the driver files ( fs_skeleton.tbz2 and zlmage) by following the instructions here: NOTE: processors.wiki.ti.com/.../WL18xx_System_Build_Scripts Please be aware there are some broken links in the compilation.

2. Update the BBBW kernel to 4.9 following the steps here: elinux.org/Beagleboard:BeagleBoneBlack_Debian

3. Copy fs_skeleton.tbz into the BBBW root directory e.g /
$ cd /
$ tar -xvf fs_skeleton.tbz2
$ sync

4. Copy zImage file into /boot directory

5. Reboot the BBB

6. Go to
$ cd /usr/share/wl18xx/
There, you can see all the scripts to form the mesh network.

7. Open wpa_supplicant.conf
Uncomment and/or change the following lines:
max_peer_links=10.
mesh_max_inactivity=300
p2p_disabled =1

8. Open mesh_start.sh
Change the IP address. Remember each BBB should have a different IP address

9. Run the script for starting the mesh0 interface
$ ./mesh_start.sh
IMPORTANT NOTE: If your BBB has a previous configured wpa_supplicant, you must run $ ./mesh_stop.sh first.

10. Run the script to join to the mesh
$ ./mesh_join.sh NAMEMESH 2412
IMPORTANT NOTE: The parameters are the mesh_network_SSID and the Frequency (usually 2.4GHz)

11. It will take some seconds to connect to the mesh. To see which other stations are connected to the mesh, you can type:
$ iw dev mesh0 station dump
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Thank you very much for your guidance.

Last quick question: Does the driver come with a routing protocol included?

Thanks

Maria

0 Maria Valero over 7 years ago in reply to Maria Valero

Prodigy 100 points

Does the driver come with a routing protocol included?

Thanks

Maria

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