====== Creating a simple Mesh ======


Once you have flashed and pointed your devices to your Radiusdesk Server as explained [[user_guide:md_flash_firmware|here]] , you can now pull these devices into a mesh. In this tutorial we will set up a simple mesh without a captive portal that requires usernames and passwords. 

===== Add a New Mesh =====
  *  Click on the MESHdesk icon on the Radiusdesk home page.
{{:user_guide:md:meshdesk_icon.png?300|}}
  * Click the Add button in the actions toolbar. A New Mesh window opens.
{{:user_guide:md:new_mesh_window.png?800|}}
  * Select yourself (loggedin user) as the owner of the Mesh and click NEXT

  * Give a name to the Mesh you are creating. We will use Bean There Mesh as a sample. 

  * Click NEXT. The Mesh is now created. 

  * Click on the Bean There Mesh in the MESHdesk window and click on Edit in the Action Toolbar.

  * Look at the tabs in the Edit window. We will follow the tabs to set up the details of the Mesh.

{{:user_guide:md:edit_mesh_entry_port.png?800|}}
===== Add an Entry Point =====

An Entry Point will allow users to enter onto the Mesh network.

  * Click on the Entry Points Tab in the Edit Mesh Window.

  * Click Add on the Actions Toolbar in the Entry Points Tab. A New Entry Point window opens.

  * Fill in a Name for the SSID, example Bean There Wifi.

  * If you want the WiFi to be hidden to the public then select the Hidden tickbox.

  * Select Client isolation tick box so that users cannot connect to each others' devices.

  *** Or** deselect the Client Isolation tick box in an office where users must be able to print to a wireless printer.

  * Select Apply to all nodes to make sure the SSID is available over the whole mesh.

  * Click OK.

===== Encryption- to give the mesh a password =====

{{:user_guide:md:encryption_tab.png?500|}}

  * Click on the Encryption sub-tab in the EditMesh Entry Port Window.

  * Select **None** if you want users to login without giving a password.

  * Select **WPA2 Personal** and supply an **8 letter password** if you want to secure the Wifi.


===== We suggest you leave the Mesh Settings and Batman Adv Settings on default =====
===== Add Exit Points =====

An Exit Point allows users from the Mesh Network onto the world wide web.

  * Click on the Exit Points tab

{{:user_guide:md:new_mesh_exit_point.png?400|}}


  * Select the type of Exit Point you have onto the internet.
    * Select the Ethernet Bridge button if you have an Ethernet cable supplying internet.
    * Select the Tagged Ethernet Bridge if your Ethernet connection gives a VLAN number.
    * Select NAT + DHCP if you connect to a DHCP server.

  * We will cover the Captive Portal in the  [[user_guide:md_new_captive_portal_mesh|next]] How To.

  * We will keep our selection on **Ethernet bridge** for this How To.

  * Click NEXT





===== Node Settings- VERY IMPORTANT =====

  * Click on the Node Settings Tab in the Edit Mesh Window.

  * Under the Node settings Tab we will cover two sub-tabs: System and Wifi.
{{:user_guide:md:edit_mesh_node_settings.png?400|}}

  * In the System sub-tab:

     * Fill in the Root User/ Top Level Access Provider Password into the Password field. This gives you access to the router/node.
 
     * Select the country where the router/node is installed.

     * Select the Time Zone of that location. This is EXTREMELY  IMPORTANT as this timing is used for all the accounting of data.

 * Click on the WiFi sub-tab

{{:user_guide:md:edit_mesh_node_settings2.png?400|}}

    * In the 2.4 Channel field we suggest you leave the counter on 1. If your country does not allow 1 then try 6 or 11.

    * In the  5 Channel field we suggest you leave the power on 44(low power).

    * Click SAVE


===== Add the Nodes to your Mesh =====

You can add a node to your mesh by clicking on the **Nodes tab** in the Edit Mesh window and filling in a known MAC address** or** take the automated route by following these instructions:

[[userguide:md_add_nodes| Add the nodes to the Mesh on Meshdesk]]