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Meshchat installation help

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WK7G
Meshchat installation help
I'm just gettting started with AREDN. I have 2 Ubiquity Powerbeam M2's and a MikroTic hAP ac lite. I have the FW working on all the nodes. I have tried to install the IPK files to the hAP and the powerbeams with no luck.  It seems that all the install instructions are quite old and involve the old AREDN gui.

I downloaded the meshchat zip file with the IPK files
meshchat_2.13_all.ipk
meshchat-api_2.13_all.ipk

I am connected directly to the MikroTik hAP port #2 from my laptop
I open the package window and select the meshchat-api_2.13_all.ipk and select the fetch and install button.
After a few mins i get error messages downloading.

I have tried this on the Powerbeam M2's as well with the same results.

Help
Scott(WK7G)
WK7G
Ok, I found a 2.12 version
Ok, I found a 2.12 version and it installs fine!
N7CPZ
N7CPZ's picture
Important note
Scott,

An important note about Mesh Chat and current stable release firmware on all devices (3.25.2.0). When AREDN upgraded the base OpenWRT release to 24.10, it broke a LUA API dependency Mesh Chat uses to function. To work correctly on the latest release, you'll need this version: https://github.com/kn6plv/meshchat

To get it onto nodes with only one port that can't directly pull from the AREDN package library, you'll need to download meshchat_2.13_all.ipk from the repo, then use the upload button to send a copy from your local computer to the node.
 
WK7G
I see that meshchat 2.12
I see that meshchat 2.12 doesn't work. I removed it from my MikroTik hAP and tried to install 2.13. I am connected directly to my laptop with ethernet.Does the Mikrotik need to be connected to my WAN in port 1: 
 I keep getting the following error messages:

Downloading http://downloads.arednmesh.org/releases/3/24/3.25.2.0/targets/ath79/mikr...
Failed to send request: Operation not permitted
Failed to send request: Operation not permitted
Failed to send request: Operation not permitted
Failed to send request: Operation not permitted
Failed to send request: Operation not permitted
*** Failed to download the package list from http://downloads.arednmesh.org/releases/3/24/3.25.2.0/targets/ath79/mikr...

Downloading http://downloads.arednmesh.org/releases/3/24/3.25.2.0/packages/mips_24kc...
*** Failed to download the package list from http://downloads.arednmesh.org/releases/3/24/3.25.2.0/packages/mips_24kc...

Downloading http://downloads.arednmesh.org/releases/3/24/3.25.2.0/packages/mips_24kc...
*** Failed to download the package list from http://downloads.arednmesh.org/releases/3/24/3.25.2.0/packages/mips_24kc...

Downloading http://downloads.arednmesh.org/releases/3/24/3.25.2.0/packages/mips_24kc...
*** Failed to download the package list from http://downloads.arednmesh.org/releases/3/24/3.25.2.0/packages/mips_24kc...

Downloading http://downloads.arednmesh.org/releases/3/24/3.25.2.0/packages/mips_24kc...
*** Failed to download the package list from Failed to send request: Operation not permitted
Failed to send request: Operation not permitted
Collected errors:
* opkg_download: Failed to download http://downloads.arednmesh.org/releases/3/24/3.25.2.0/targets/ath79/mikr..., wget returned 4.
* opkg_download: Check your network settings and connectivity.

* opkg_download: Failed to download http://downloads.arednmesh.org/releases/3/24/3.25.2.0/packages/mips_24kc..., wget returned 4.
* opkg_download: Check your network settings and connectivity.

* opkg_download: Failed to download http://downloads.arednmesh.org/releases/3/24/3.25.2.0/packages/mips_24kc..., wget returned 4.
* opkg_download: Check your network settings and connectivity.

* opkg_download: Failed to download http://downloads.arednmesh.org/releases/3/24/3.25.2.0/packages/mips_24kc..., wget returned 4.
* opkg_download: Check your network settings and connectivity.

* opkg_download: Failed to download http://downloads.arednmesh.org/releases/3/24/3.25.2.0/packages/mips_24kc..., wget returned 4.
* opkg_download: Check your network settings and connectivity.

* opkg_download: Failed to download http://downloads.arednmesh.org/releases/3/24/3.25.2.0/packages/mips_24kc..., wget returned 4.
* opkg_download: Check your network settings and connectivity.

* opkg_download: Failed to download http://downloads.arednmesh.org/releases/3/24/3.25.2.0/packages/mips_24kc..., wget returned 4.
* opkg_download: Check your network settings and connectivity.

http://downloads.arednmesh.org/releases/3/24/3.25.2.0/packages/mips_24kc...

Downloading http://downloads.arednmesh.org/releases/3/24/3.25.2.0/packages/mips_24kc...
*** Failed to download the package list from http://downloads.arednmesh.org/releases/3/24/3.25.2.0/packages/mips_24kc...

Downloading http://downloads.arednmesh.org/releases/3/24/3.25.2.0/packages/mips_24kc...
*** Failed to download the package list from http://downloads.arednmesh.org/releases/3/24/3.25.2.0/packages/mips_24kc...
 
N7CPZ
N7CPZ's picture
No Repos
Scott,

You don't need to use the packages list to download the .ipk. You can save it manually to your computer and upload it over LAN using the Upload Package (Browse...) function.
 
WK7G
Still having issues with 2.13
Ok, I'm connected to my MikroTik hAPn AC lite and the TPLink CPE210 is connected to the POE port on the hAP.
I have uninstalled meshchat 2.12.
I have downloaded meshchat 2.13 files:
-meshchat-api_2.13_all.ipk
-meshchat_2.13_all.ipk

-I clicked on the installed packages link
-in the dialoge box I selected "meshcat-api_2.13_all.ipk from my local computer drive
-I then selected the "Fetch and Install" button
-After a minute or so I get the series of error messages where it's trying to download from the AREDN site.

I installed meshcat 2.12 the exact same way and it gave me the green bar that the package was installed correctly

What am I doing wrong?

WK7G

 
nc8q
nc8q's picture
I am connected directly to my laptop with ethernet.Does the Mikr
"I am connected directly to my laptop with ethernet.Does the Mikrotik need to be connected to my WAN in port 1: "

Hi, Scott:

Rephrase please.
Do you have a Mikrotik hAP-ac-lite and a laptop and wish to install MeshChat?
You do not need a connection to port 1 of the hap-ac-lite to install MeshChat.
Your laptop may be connected to the hap-ac-lite via
ethernet to port (2 or 3 or 4) or
via Wi-Fi.

If you wish to install OpenWRT packages over the internet, then
your internet access should be connected to port 1 (WAN) of the hap-ac-lite.

73, Chuck
 
K5RA
Meshchat Install
Scott -
As you have probably discovered, Meshchat_2.12 does not work with AREDN firmware releases after about October 2024.  The current Meshchat release is 2.15. 
There are two ways to use Meshchat.  You can put the Meshchat-api_2.15 in your AREDN node and Meshchat_1.02 in your R-Pi service computer.  OR you put Meshchat_2.15 in your node and access it with a browser.   
Probably the easiest way to do this is with Meshchat_2.15 in the node.  Get a copy of the package, and use the Packages Upload feature to choose the file and put it into your node.  You only install the Meshchat package.  Your package count will increase by 3 because there is a Meshchat file and two LUA files that are no longer provided with AREDN firmware. 
When the packages are installed, reboot the node.  There will probably be a Meshchat-wxyz (four random numbers) service announcement in the Local Services pane.  Click in the pane, see the Services dialogue box, and edit the Meshchat-wxyz name to be the name of the Meshchat zone that you want to join.  Done.  Commit. Reboot. 
Is it possible that your laptop has a firewall or other protection that prevents transfers to and from you node??
Meshchat does not come from an AREDN site.  See https://github.com/kn6plv/meshchat

--Tim K5RA

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