Operation Mesh

This operation mentioned in the media: http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2011/11/the-darknet-plan-netroots-activists-dream-of-global-mesh-network/

Introduction and Summary Instructions
Operation Mesh is a world wide effort to establish anonymous wireless mesh networks through the use of the B.A.T.M.A.N. mesh networking protocol, I2P (a garlic routing anonymity network), and torrents. If you own a wireless router, chances are that you can hack it and turn it into a mesh network node with relative ease. This article aims to provide documentation on this process in addition to information useful for wireless mesh networking and general anonymity.

Step 1: Acquire a router compatible with the OpenWrt firmware. Chances are you have one in your house (the router you're using now) or could pick one up for a relatively low cost.

Step 2: Install OpenWrt on that router and enable wireless.

Step 3: Use the opmesh.sh script to configure your router for wireless mesh networking.

Step 4: Establish wireless mesh networks using other routers and high-gain directional and omnidirectional antennas (e.g. Fabfi and 15 dbi omnidirectional antennas).

Step 5: Implement supernodes with IP2

Step 6: ???????

Step 7: Profit!

Step One and Two: Installing OpenWrt on Your Wireless Router
See the OpenWrt |table table of supported hardware, and follow the instructions specific to your variety of router. In most cases you will be able to use a web-based user interface (UI) to flash your your router with the OpenWrt firmware.

Step Three: Running the B.A.T.M.A.N. Installation and Configuration Shell Script
This is an incomplete shell script that installs the required packages to make a B.A.T.M.A.N. mesh network, removes conflicting packages, configures your system to make a mesh bridge, and spoofs your wireless interface MAC address.

Note:
 * This script runs assuming that you removed the line under "# REMOVE THIS LINE TO ENABLE WIFI" in the directory /etc/config/wireless, and configured your device as needed during the installation of OpenWrt.

It should look something like this: config wifi-device radio0 option type    mac80211 option channel 1 option macaddr 00:24:a5:d7:85:2a option hwmode  11ng option htmode  HT20 list ht_capab  SHORT-GI-40 list ht_capab  DSSS_CCK-40 # REMOVE THIS LINE TO ENABLE WIFI: config wifi-iface option device  radio0 option network lan option mode    adhoc option ssid    OpMesh option encryption none

| Script source on PiratePad

Step Five: Implementing I2P
I would speculate that implementing I2P on a B.A.T.M.A.N. mesh network will require the construction of |supernodes supernodes. This need arises out of the limitation that most routers don't exceed even 64mb of RAM or a CPU speed of 400 Mhz (these specifications belonging to the relatively powerful Buffalo WZR-HP-G300NH). I2P needs more |resources resources than are typically available on routers.

Related Reading
|op Opportunities and Challenges for Mesh Networks Using Directional Antennas

|fab FabFi(an open-source system to transmit wireless ethernet signals across distances of up to several miles)

|pi PirateBox (a self-contained mobile wireless communication and file sharing device)

|anon Anon Ops pirate pad with relevant information