We've created some configuration tar.gz files that can be uploaded to mesh nodes (TPE-R1300 routers) to speed up the configuration of each node. These simpler set of directions should take less time than the longer set of directions previously posted. These directions work with libreCMC 1.5.15.
We have a guide for what to do after applying these configurations as well.
Internet Connected Mesh Node #1 Setup
1. Connect an ethernet cable from the LAN port on the first mesh node to your computer's LAN port.
2. Screw on the antennas and connect the power to the first mesh node via the micro USB cable.
3. Disconnect from any wireless connection and open a web browser like Mozilla Firefox on your computer and login to the router by entering https://192.168.10.1 into the address bar and hitting enter (there is no default password, you should set one, also you will get a warning message, just click the Advanced... button and the Accept the Risk and Continue button).
4. Set a static IP that is different form the upstream modem / internet gateway you want to connect to: To do this go to Network > Interfaces and click the Edit button for the LAN interface.
5. In our case our upstream network has an IP address of 192.168.10.1 so we're going to set our LAN ip to 192.168.9.1. Setting the LAN IP to 192.168.9.1 should be good for most people as no major router manufacturers use this IP.
6. Click the Save & Apply button at the bottom and wait until the count for the configuration to be applied gets to zero. You will be told the configuration has failed. Click the Apply anyway button.
7. Connect an ethernet cable from the WAN port on the first mesh node to a LAN port on an upstream modem / internet gateway.
8. Using the network applet on your computer disconnect from the wired network and then reconnect to it. This will result in your computer being assigned an IP address in the 192.168.9.x range.
9. Now open up a web browser and go to the first mesh node's login page to administer the settings on the router. In our example we set the first mesh node LAN IP address to 192.168.9.1 so we would enter https://192.168.9.1 into the address bar of our browser and hit enter (also you will get a warning message, just click the Advanced... button and the Accept the Risk and Continue button).
10. Once the login page appears go ahead and log back in (aka go to https://192.168.9.1 in the browser).
11. Go to System > Software
12. Click the Update lists.. button and then the Dismiss button when it's done updating.
13. Install wpad-mesh-wolfssl enter wpad-mesh-wolfssl into the Download and install package box and then click the OK button. Then click the Install button, and then finally the Dismiss button.
14. Go to System > Reboot and click the Perform reboot button. You will then need to log back in (aka go to https://192.168.9.1 in the browser).
15. Go to System > Backup / Flash Firmware
16. Temporarily connect to the internet again (via wifi or other means) on the computer and then download the mesh # 1 configuration tar.gz file
17. Disconnect from the internet/wifi on the computer. Then on the router under System > Backup / Flash Firmware click the Browse button next to where it says Restore backup. Upload the mesh #1 configuration tar.gz file and then click the upload archive... button
How To Setup Each Successive Mesh Node
1. Disconnect your computer from wifi if connected. Connect an ethernet cable from the LAN port on the successive mesh node you are trying to setup to your computer's LAN port.
2. Screw on the antennas and connect the power to the mesh node via the micro USB cable.
3. Open a web browser and login to the mesh node at https://192.168.10.1 (there is no default password, you should set one, also you will get a warning message, just click the Advanced... button and the Accept the Risk and Continue button)
4. Set a static IP that is different form the upstream modem/internet gateway you will be temporarily connecting to: Go to Network > Interfaces and click the Edit button for the LAN interface. In our case our upstream network has an IP address of 192.168.10.1 so we're going to set our 2nd mesh mode LAN here to use an IP address of 192.168.9.2. If this was your third mesh node you'd want to do 192.68.9.3, etc. This should work for most people as no other major manufacturer uses this IP range. Then click the Save & Apply button at the bottom of the page and wait until the count for the configuration to be applied gets to zero. You will be told the configuration has failed. Click the Apply anyway button.
5. Connect an ethernet cable from the WAN port on the mesh node to a LAN port on an upstream modem/internet gateway.
6. Using the network applet on your computer disconnect from the wired network and then reconnect to it.
7. Now open up the new mesh nodes login page to administer the settings on the router. In our example that would be https://192.168.9.2 as we're setting up mesh node #2 (also you will get a warning message, just click the Advanced... button and the Accept the Risk and Continue button). Now login to the router.
8. Go to System > Software.
9. Click the Update lists.. button, and then the Dismiss button when it's finished updating.
10. Install wpad-mesh-wolfssl by entering wpad-mesh-wolfssl into the Download and install package box and clicking the OK button and the Install button. Then the Dismiss button.
11. Go to System > Reboot and click the Perform reboot button. You will then need to log back in (aka go to https://192.168.9.2 in the browser).
12. Go to System > Backup / Flash Firmware
13. Connect your computer to the internet/wifi and download the mesh configuration tar.gz file for the # mesh node you are setting up
mesh configuration #1
mesh configuration #2
mesh configuration #3
mesh configuration #4
mesh configuration #5
14. Disconnect your computer from the internet/wifi. Then on the router under System > Backup / Flash Firmware click the Browse button next to where it says Restore backup. Upload the next mesh configuration tar.gz file and then click the upload archive... button
The first mesh setup configuration is such that you can connect an ethernet cable to the WAN port from a cable/ADSL/fiber/or similar router/modem. This will provide then mesh network with internet access. Each additional mesh node configuration is setup such that the WAN port is configured to act as a regular LAN port to give any wired computers you have in that area access to the mesh network/internet.