Meraki changes their EULA
Andrew Gearhart
To summarize, they've changed their EULA and you can no longer purchase Meraki units for modification and use with non-Meraki meshes (well, legally at least).
For a bit of history and an overview of what's going on with Meraki and their recent history... read the post I made.
Sincerely,
Andrew Gearhart
Entrepreneur, EtherFly
Co-Founder, OpenSourceMesh
From: Kevin Beretta
Date: Thu, Feb 21, 2008 at 3:29 PM
Subject: Meraki changes their EULA
To: "FreeTheNet.ca"
Read on: http://robin.forumup.it/viewtopic.php?t=44&highlight=&mforum=robin
http://meraki.com/legal/end-user-license-agreement/
3.5 Restrictions on Use. Meraki Hardware may only be used with Meraki
Software. Customer agrees not to (i) disassemble or attempt to reverse
engineer the Meraki Hardware, (ii) remove or erase the Meraki Software
from the Meraki Hardware, or otherwise try to disable or alter the
Meraki Software functionality; or (iii) load any other software onto
the Meraki Hardware.
Julio Cesar Puigpinos
> Hey everyone. For brevity here, I've posted to my blog what Meraki has done
> recently.
> To summarize, they've changed their EULA and you can no longer purchase
> Meraki units for modification and use with non-Meraki meshes (well, legally
> at least).
>
> For a bit of history and an overview of what's going on with Meraki and
> their recent history... read the post I made.
Another "intelligent" move by Meraki :)
Anyway....
After looking the list of hardware
(http://freethenet.scribblewiki.com/Hardware_Options) that you have
mencion in your blog, I ask: is there any other equipment that can be
used for mesh networks and that has an Atheros SoC 2316 or similar
that is in the market (that has not been EOL'ed, for example not the
Netgear WGT634U)? It also should have at least 4MB of flash and 16MB
of RAM.
I know about the Fonera and the Ubiquiti PS.
In my local project we are using the 3Com Router 3CRWER200-75
(http://www.3com.com/products/en_US/detail.jsp?tab=features&pathtype=purchase&sku=3CRWER200-75).
It has 4MB of flash and 16MB of RAM.
It's the only one that we found in our local market (Argentina). But
the cost is high (120 american dollars). So eventually we will also
use other chips, like Broadcom or Prism. But this will change the
actual way we do the mesh network, by mixing different hardware we
must change the software.
Thanks in advance.
Saludos, Julio
--
NO A LA MATRICULA!!!: http://noalamatricula.wordpress.com/
www.lugro.org.ar GNU/Linux User Group Rosario, Argentina
Registered GNU/Linux User #358886
Andrew Gearhart
The one device that I'm currently taking a look at is the Ubiquity Networks NanoStation2. Its ability to mesh is currently unknown, however, the radio seems to be quite good in comparison to the Meraki and they do seem to be quite open to the idea of 3rd party firmware being used. The price is a bit more expensive than the Meraki at an MSRP of $80USD, however, with the stronger radio that may be less of a concern. There is a smaller flash on it at 4mb. This simply means that, with the firmware that we're working with right now, you wouldn't be able to write the entire firmware update to the flash before flashing the unit. Instead, you'd have to rely upon the memory not disappearing (ie the power going out).
I'm currently waiting on information back from Ubiquity on volume pricing.
Andrew Gearhart
Entrepreneur, EtherFly
Co-Founder, OpenSourceMesh
Julio Cesar Puigpinos
> Julio,
>
> The one device that I'm currently taking a look at is the Ubiquity Networks
> NanoStation2. Its ability to mesh is currently unknown
From http://www.ubnt.com/products/ns2.php I can see that it has:
Processor Specs: Atheros AR2316 SOC, MIPS 4KC, 180MHz (the datasheet
says AR2315 :S)
Memory Information: 16MB SDRAM, 4MB Flash.
It should work, it's the same Atheros chip and the same amount of
flash and RAM that we use. I don't know if the Ubiquiti NS2 uses
redboot, we use it.
We have the kernel in less then 1MB and the rest of the flash is used
for the firmware. For now we have almost 500KB of free space in the
flash.
>, however, the radio
> seems to be quite good in comparison to the Meraki and they do seem to be
> quite open to the idea of 3rd party firmware being used. The price is a bit
> more expensive than the Meraki at an MSRP of $80USD, however, with the
> stronger radio that may be less of a concern. There is a smaller flash on it
> at 4mb. This simply means that, with the firmware that we're working with
> right now, you wouldn't be able to write the entire firmware update to the
> flash before flashing the unit. Instead, you'd have to rely upon the memory
> not disappearing (ie the power going out).
Are you working with B.A.T.M.A.N. and Ro.B.In., right? If so, it should work.
We already make it work with B.A.T.M.A.N. and Ro.B.In. (an early
version), all with a 4MB flash. We have made some changes, so it works
well with our hardware. The firmware is still in an Alpha version,
when it's ready we'll publish it.
> I'm currently waiting on information back from Ubiquity on volume pricing.
The Ubiquiti NS2 looks like a good hardware to use.
The only problem with the devices that one can choose is the amount of
time that they are for sale before they are EOL'ed, and with wich
hardware they replaced. I already suffer the chages with Netgear and
Linksys hardware :)
For a reference, here in Argentina the price of the Ubiquiti
PowerStation2 is U$D 250 :(
> Andrew Gearhart
> Entrepreneur, EtherFly
> Co-Founder, OpenSourceMesh
Saludos, Julio
Ian
Good to hear from you Julio,
I gather the economy is still very bad in Argentina and electrical
products must be very expensive.Import duty is expensive???
Is it cheaper to bring in from the US or maybe the EU.... as
historically hasnt Argentina trading agreements with Spain/Italy...
Where are you based? I am sure there must be a real need for reliable
community networks in your country???
It would be great to have a look at your alpha version!! Our pet
project here in Uk is trying to get Batman/Robin up on the x86's. Any
thoughts/ideas very appreciated!!
Best Wishes, Saludos
Ian
On Feb 22, 7:52 pm, "Julio Cesar Puigpinos" <jcpuigpi...@gmail.com>
wrote:
>
> > Julio,
>
> > The one device that I'm currently taking a look at is the Ubiquity Networks
> > NanoStation2. Its ability to mesh is currently unknown
>
> Registered GNU/Linux User #358886
Julio Cesar Puigpinos
>
> Hola!
>
> Good to hear from you Julio,
Thanks
> I gather the economy is still very bad in Argentina and electrical
> products must be very expensive.
The economy is stable, but depends on every situation in particular.
The devaluation of our currency makes things in american dollar to be
really expensive :(. They cost 3.2 times more then before.
> Import duty is expensive???
This is the main issue, besides the devaluation of our currency. The
import duty in electronic devices is about 60%, then you must add
other local taxes. So the original price can be duplicated and even
more :S
> Is it cheaper to bring in from the US or maybe the EU.... as
> historically hasnt Argentina trading agreements with Spain/Italy...
>
> Where are you based? I am sure there must be a real need for reliable
> community networks in your country???
I'm from the city of Rosario.
In Argentina there are some projects with normal wireless networks,
but I'm not aware of any mesh network been developed besides ours.
Particurally in my city there are no serius wireless network, of any
kind, developed.
> It would be great to have a look at your alpha version!! Our pet
> project here in Uk is trying to get Batman/Robin up on the x86's. Any
> thoughts/ideas very appreciated!!
I don't think that is to far from been released.
I'll try to take a look to your project. Can you point me out any links to it?
> Best Wishes, Saludos
>
> Ian