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OpenMANET • Overview

OPENMANET: WHEN LORA ISN'T ENOUGH.

LoRa is excellent at moving very small amounts of data over long distances. OpenMANET approaches resilient networking from the other direction: build a real IP network over Wi-Fi HaLow.

What it actually is.

OpenMANET runs on OpenWrt-based hardware with Wi-Fi HaLow radios. It uses 802.11s mesh networking with BATMAN-V routing so mesh points can discover paths and reroute traffic as the network changes.

End-user devices can connect locally by Ethernet or ordinary 2.4/5 GHz Wi-Fi while the long-range HaLow radio carries traffic between mesh points.

Why it feels different.

Meshtastic and MeshCore are optimized around low-bandwidth LoRa messaging and telemetry. OpenMANET exposes a flat IP network, which means normal network applications can operate across the mesh when bandwidth and link quality allow it.

That makes it relevant for use cases such as mapping, web tools, TAK applications, multicast services, voice/PTT and other IP-based field tools.

No Raspberry Pi required

THERE ARE STANDALONE HARDWARE OPTIONS.

The project began heavily around Raspberry Pi hardware, but current OpenMANET documentation lists integrated platforms as supported too.

HL2

Morse Micro HaLowLink 2

A supported integrated HaLow platform with Ethernet and 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. It is one of the cleaner paths if you want to avoid a Pi entirely.

HT

Heltec HT-HD01 V2

A compact supported HaLow gateway using a Morse Micro MM6108 radio. The project notes limited CPU and storage, so it is best viewed as a lightweight node.

GW

Gateworks Venice

A more capable SBC family supported by OpenMANET for builds that need more interfaces, processing and expansion than tiny gateways provide.

Hardware support and feature availability change. Check the current OpenMANET hardware matrix and firmware notes before purchasing or flashing equipment.

Network model

WHAT HAPPENS ON THE WIRE.

1

Your device joins locally

A phone, tablet or laptop connects to a mesh point using its local Wi-Fi access point or Ethernet port.

2

HaLow carries the backhaul

The OpenMANET node uses sub-GHz Wi-Fi HaLow to communicate with other mesh points.

3

BATMAN-V selects paths

The routing layer evaluates neighboring links and can rebuild paths as topology changes, while clients continue seeing a normal IP network.

DO.

  • Start with two supported nodes and prove the link before building permanent infrastructure.
  • Use the correct firmware image and board calibration for your specific HaLow hardware.
  • Give mesh points clearly distinguishable local SSIDs while testing.
  • Plan antennas and node placement before chasing transmit power.
  • Check current legal requirements for the frequencies, bandwidth and power you use.

DON'T.

  • Don't assume OpenMANET talks directly to Meshtastic or MeshCore because they all operate around sub-GHz spectrum.
  • Don't describe Wi-Fi HaLow as LoRa. They are completely different radio technologies.
  • Don't assume every supported hardware platform supports every OpenMANET feature equally.
  • Don't expect LoRa-like battery life from a system designed to carry substantially more data.
  • Don't deploy a large mesh until you understand addressing, routing and local client access.
Where No Bars Club puts it

AN EXPERIMENTAL HIGHER-BANDWIDTH TOOL.

For us, OpenMANET is not a replacement for Meshtastic or MeshCore. It is an independent technology worth learning because it can solve jobs that tiny LoRa packets simply cannot.

OpenMANET hub →Official docs ↗