I want to use the collected parts to build a meshtstic node that is powered over POE and controled over my home network. Any starting information would be helpful
Welcome to RAK forum @dlstarbird ,
If you only need PoE power, you can have the RAK19017 PoE Module together with any based WisBlock baseboard with power slot like RAK19009.
I have one setup with RAK4631 core and works great.
First off GREAT Channel,
I am using the reamended RAK 4630 board, with the RAK 3800vc and the POE module 19018.
The ALFA network power supplies the voltage and data passes through and attaches to my home switch.
I can plug in the cat5 cable, and the red light shows a tiny flicker, however if I plug in a usb cable both the RED and Green light come up and I can unplug the usb cable (keeping the cat5 cable plug in) and is starts providing POE just find. Any idea why that happens?
So here my questions:
1.) Will it be possible to control and configure the RAK 4630 from my desktop over the network?
IF so can you point me in the right direction to show me how to configure the device.
2.) Any information you have on setting up an MQTT node to stand alone pc (out to the internet)
Thanks for your help
Dennis Starbird (KE6SUT)
Hi @dlstarbird ,
For the power related concern, it could be that PoE negotiation on the sourcing equipment is failing. This can be fixed by putting a dummy load to maintain the correct regulation of the PoE module (only having RAK4631 is not enough since it consumes very low power). More details here.
As for the connectivity, I find the Meshtastic connection using RAK13800 (via ethernet) for MQTT not as good as ESP32 based controllers. If you plan to have MQTT connection, I suggest you move to RAK11200 core like what @beegee did on his Meshastic Sensor Network.
I tried again the RAK13800 ethernet connection on my Meshtastic setup using the latest FW but MQTT connection is still not working. Though on the logs, it shows connected but I do not have good packet exchanges. Even on Meshtastic forum, there are many issues about this.
For your reference, these are my logs.
PS, my RAK13800 is working well because if I upload a non-Meshtastic FW with ehternet connection. I can ping google easily.