Meshcore Roles
Companion
This is a personal radio that get you on the Keweenaw Mesh network. It's typically pocket or credit card sized and offers up to 100ft of bluetooth range. A phone pairs to it using a MeshCore app using bluetooth.
Repeater
This is a special radio that has one job: repeat messages to companions, room servers or other repeaters. These are typically solar powered with battery backup and installed at high elevations to maximize range. These are at the heart of the network.
Room Server
These hold messages for later retrieval by anyone with access - they're like a bulletin board. The owner of the room server may or may require a password for access. Some room servers can also act as repeaters. A typical password for public access can be "guest" or "hello."
Sensor
These are special devices that have sensors attached such as temperature, humidity or wind speed. They are typically used for specialty scenarios where low power is important. Farmers can use them to monitor environmental conditions.
Who develops the MeshCore software?
It's community software that anyone can inspect, change and improve. The official project is meshcore.io. Software used an a device is also called "firmware." Installing software to a device is called "flashing firmware." Flash firmware with the web flasher at meshcore.io/flasher. Use a Chromium-based web browser such as Chrome, Brave, Helium or Edge. Visit the flasher page with your device connected to your USB port. Other browsers such as Firefox are not compatible because Web Serial is used for communication.
Read the flashing how-tos next: Flash a companion and Flash and set up a repeater.