donito Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 I haven't seen this product mentioned in the forums, but a company called Open Mesh sells a wireless access point that is identical to the La Fonera 2100. They call it the Open-Mesh Mini-Router. I got two of them in the mail today and they are identical to the fon 2100's. Here's the kick. By default, SSH is enabled as well as telnet into Redboot. They even mention this on their website so as to allow flashing with other open-source solutions. They deserve major kudos for keeping their hardware open. The basic idea behind their hardware is to create a wireless open mesh. Like the Foneras, they run OpenWRT and broadcast both public and private SSIDs. However, there is no web config utility built into the router. All configuration is done by using their "dashboard". Of course, like their tech support told me, you can run your own local copy of an open source dashboard if you don't want to use theirs. I will be purchasing more units from them shortly. They also have another model which I believe closely resembles the fon+. I have included a few pictures to whet your technolust. http://www.siliconempire.net/images/openmesh4fon.jpg http://www.siliconempire.net/images/openmesh5fon.jpg http://www.siliconempire.net/images/openmesh3.jpg http://www.siliconempire.net/images/openmesh1.jpg So if you've had trouble hacking into the foneras you might want to consider an open-mesh mini router. Forgive me if this sounds like a sales pitch. I'm just excited about finding the hardware. ...and no I don't work for open-mesh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darren Kitchen Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 Nice find. I had my eye on those and the Meraki Mini http://meraki.com/products_services/hardware/indoor/ for a while but they hadn't dropped to a reasonable price. Another retailer that specialized in this Acton system-on-chip wireless board was Confero24 but their site seems to be down: http://www.confero24.com//down_for_maintenance.php It's a nice open alternative to the Fon. I'll have to get one for testing. It looks like it might be closer related to the 2202 (??). I forget the exact model but it's just like the 2100 but with a 7.5 v power supply. What's the voltage on that guy? Does it share the same DC power plug as the fon 2100? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donito Posted April 22, 2009 Author Share Posted April 22, 2009 ...snip... What's the voltage on that guy? Does it share the same DC power plug as the fon 2100? Yes it shares the same DC power plug as the fon 2100, 5V 2A. The size of the barrel is the same as well. My fon 2200 has a different size plug and it's 7.5V, 1A. The only thing I don't like about the fon 2100 board is that it gets pretty warm in spots. My fon 2200 does not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donito Posted April 22, 2009 Author Share Posted April 22, 2009 Here's another image comparing the open-mesh mini router with a la fonera 2100. http://www.siliconempire.net/images/fon2100openmeshmini.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donito Posted April 23, 2009 Author Share Posted April 23, 2009 Ok, I've had a little time to play with the mini router from open-mesh. I've been able to verify the following: Telnet to RedBoot is open at 192.168.0.1 port 9000 (not sure what the timeout is) SSH is enabled by default. The default kernel already allows for write access to the flash chip and RedBoot configuration. So, after a deep breath I took the plunge. I started at step 11 of the Jasager install (firmware installation). approx 10 minutes later I had a successful OpenWRT install. Enabled wireless and connected right in. So basically you don't have to worry about revision number, enabling SSH, or patching the RedBoot config and default kernel. Again, I did this on the Open-Mesh mini router model MR3201A-38NQ. Happy haking...! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vector Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 i would suggest ubiquiti.com they have some of the best, smallest and most powerful embedded systems. if yuo like you can even get something like a router station pro board and throw in a couple of different cards to give you even more options. the nano stations are also nice. another place i like is routerboard.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassafras Posted January 23, 2010 Share Posted January 23, 2010 Awesome, thanks donito! I have been searching all over for a FON replacement. I have also found this article, looks like multiple companies have used the same AP (MR3201A) and just named it something else... http://boston-wireless.org/index.php?title=MR3201A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j3ffr3ym Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 I have gotten the Open-Mesh mini router model MR3201A-38NQ and followed the directions and it works like a champ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digininja Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 Thats good, we've now got a thread to point people at when they ask where they can get a Fon or replacement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CyberAssassin Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 Wow this is really great! Has anyone found a replacement for the fon+? I can't seem to find one and I really want an interceptor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whig Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 So if you've had trouble hacking into the foneras you might want to consider an open-mesh mini router. Forgive me if this sounds like a sales pitch. I'm just excited about finding the hardware. ...and no I don't work for open-mesh. Just wondering if this is same box "AP51 The AP/Client/Router/WISP/Repeater": http://www.alfa.com.tw/in/front/bin/ptdeta...Category=105479 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lopez1364 Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 This is a great article. I'm going to ahead and buy at least 2. :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b27 Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 Ok, I've had a little time to play with the mini router from open-mesh. I've been able to verify the following: Telnet to RedBoot is open at 192.168.0.1 port 9000 (not sure what the timeout is) SSH is enabled by default. The default kernel already allows for write access to the flash chip and RedBoot configuration. So, after a deep breath I took the plunge. I started at step 11 of the Jasager install (firmware installation). approx 10 minutes later I had a successful OpenWRT install. Enabled wireless and connected right in. So basically you don't have to worry about revision number, enabling SSH, or patching the RedBoot config and default kernel. Again, I did this on the Open-Mesh mini router model MR3201A-38NQ. Happy haking...! Thanks so much for taking the time to make a post about this! I just asked about the PicoStations in another thread and this is great to see!!! You rock. Thats good, we've now got a thread to point people at when they ask where they can get a Fon or replacement. Agreed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seshan Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 Yeah I was going to post the Alfa AP51 but I couldn't find any info on it, or even where to get it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CyberAssassin Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 The Alfa AP51 would be a great replacement for the fon+, but I can't find one. I've been looking at getting one ever since they stopped selling the fon+ in the US. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donito Posted January 29, 2010 Author Share Posted January 29, 2010 Thanks so much for taking the time to make a post about this! I just asked about the PicoStations in another thread and this is great to see!!! You rock. I'm glad I was able to help. Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b27 Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 If you want an Alfa, their US distibutor is Rokland.com. However, I only see one product and not the AP51. Dang. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CyberAssassin Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 Well FON is coming out with a new mini router in a few months but they won't give me any details whether it will have 2 ports, or an Atheros chipset. So until then it looks like we're shit outta luck for a Fon+ replacement :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DELETE ME Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 Had this email come through today, basically its a discounted Fonera+ for £24.95 With over half a million hotspots in the UK alone, there is no better time to connect to BT FON. To get free access that starts immediately, just buy a Fonera+ and connect it to broadband anywhere. It's that simple! Take advantage of our special offer and buy a Fonera+ for £24.95 (shipping costs included), £13 off the recommended retail price. http://www.fon.com/en/promos/betterThan3g?...amp;pricePlus=2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digininja Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 They must be offloading remaining stock, last time I checked they didn't have any left. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kendalkake Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 I too received an email like this but when you proceed to buy Firefox screams an untrusted connection and the site may be fake........Better safe than sorry as you can't be too sure these day's pmsl. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b27 Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 Wow... There are a lot of choices for Open-WRT! What one, if any specific one, should I be using? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beakmyn Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 Unfortunately you need to be in the UK/EU? If you're in the US you get redirected to US fon and there is no 2.0. If someone is really itching to get one I'll sell mine at Shmoocon for $100.00USD cash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheesypfz Posted February 10, 2010 Share Posted February 10, 2010 So, what are people doing for an interface for this device? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beakmyn Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 So, what are people doing for an interface for this device? console/cli and a web browser Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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