Hello,

i'm trying to make a mesh network with some Orange PI Zero devices, but ibss (adhoc) and 80211s (mesh) seem not working...with an usb wifi work fine...
I have read that this device's support isn't the best,  but i don't kwnow if my case is a release specific bug or these modes aren't really supported.

 

Installed release "Armbian_5.38_Orangepizero_Debian_stretch_next_4.14.14", i have also trying dev kernel but this don't load the device...

 

What are the really working modes and valid interface combinations? Reported info by iw list command seem not correct.

 

Thanks for the help

I used this method to get the wifi working well on the Orange Pi Lite...I believe that the wifi chip is the same

https://www.instructables.com/id/The-OrangePi-Lite/

 

Don't know much about the mesh side of it though.  Isn't there a special kernel needed for mesh networks?

 

6 hours ago, WarHawk_AVG said:

I believe that the wifi chip is the same

No ! OPiLite is using RTL8189 while OPiZero is using the crappy XR819 for which the driver probably won't support any mesh.

 

14 hours ago, WarHawk_AVG said:

Don't know much about the mesh side of it though.  Isn't there a special kernel needed for mesh networks?

No special kernel is required. Armbian is ready to work with mesh networks (If you want to experiment see: https://www.open-mesh.org/projects/batman-adv/wiki/Debian_batman-adv_AutoStartup).
But is needed that wifi device and its driver support ad-hoc or 80211s connection (are 2 different modes, but for my config is indifferent one or other), that seems there isn't...

 

8 hours ago, martinayotte said:

No ! OPiLite is using RTL8189 while OPiZero is using the crappy XR819 for which the driver probably won't support any mesh.

 

Do you have any idea about what is the cheapest SBC with wifi and external antenna that i can try? The Orange PI R1 have the RTL8189, support for that is best?

Xunlong seems to have learn from the XR819 mistake of OPiZero, so most other OPis have better WiFi.

So, cheapest ? Take a look at all OPis on AliExpress ...

 

17 hours ago, Federico Sgobbi said:

Do you have any idea about what is the cheapest SBC with wifi and external antenna that i can try? The Orange PI R1 have the RTL8189, support for that is best?

the "OPi  Zero Plus2" has - for me - a good working WiFi and also for the price a 8GB eMMC onboard.

The board isnt running hot like the "OPi Zero"

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Orange-Pi-Zero-Plus-2-Board-with-Quad-Core-Cortex-A53-H5-Quad-Core-Cortex-A/112940564893

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Orange-Pi-Zero-Plus-2-H5-Quad-core-Bluetooth-mini-PC-Beyond-Raspberry-Pi-2-Wholesale/32801249806.html

1 hour ago, martinayotte said:

Xunlong seems to have learn from the XR819 mistake of OPiZero, so most other OPis have better WiFi.

Yes, they learned but people need more time  Sadly it looks like it is their most popular/sold board