To setup a mesh the easy way using libreCMC v6.x and a set of TPE-R1300 routers start with a set of clean reset routers (System > Backup / Flash Firmware and click the Perform reset button). The directions here assume you are using OEM images of libreCMC 6.x that originally shipped with the router or you have upgraded to the latest release using the OEM images. OEM images are available for the TPE-R1300, TPE-R1200, and TPE-R1100. The directions below have only been vetted against the TPE-R1300, but should work with the TPE-R1200 and TPE-R1100 as well. If you have any trouble feel free to contact support.
Before we start you'll need to download the mesh configurations for each node, and make a note where you saved the tar.gz files, as we'll need to locate these later:
Download the mesh-1-configuration-libreCMC-2024-10-03.tar.gz file.
Download the mesh-2-configuration-libreCMC-2024-10-03.tar.gz file.
Download the mesh-3-configuration-libreCMC-2024-10-03.tar.gz file.
Download the mesh-4-configuration-libreCMC-2024-10-03.tar.gz file.
Download the mesh-5-configuration-libreCMC-2024-10-03.tar.gz file.
Mesh Node #1
Connect the antennas, power, and an ethernet cable from the LAN port on a router to a PC you want to utilize to setup the first mesh node/gateway node. After configuration this node can be connected to a modem or other routing device with internet connectivity to provide the mesh with internet connectivity.
From the network applet on your PC disconnect from any wifi access points you are connected to. Then connect to the wired network.
Note: It may take a minute to connect and you may need to try connecting again if the router hasn't finished booting.
Open a web browser and enter https://192.168.10.1/ into the address bar. Hit enter.
You will get a warning message about the security of the site. This is normal. In Firefox based browsers click the Advanced... button and then the Accept the Risk and Continue button.
Click the Log in button. There is no password on a router with a stock configuration.
Go to System > Backup / Flash Firmware and click the Upload archive... button.
Click the Browse button and locate the mesh-1-configuration-libreCMC-2024-10-03.tar.gz file.
Click the Select button, then the Upload button, and finally the Continue button to upload our mesh configuration.
Connect an ethernet cable from the WAN port to a LAN port on a modem or other routing device with internet connectivity.
On the PC disconnect from the wired network and reconnect. Your PC will be issued a new IP address in the 192.168.9.x range.
Note: It may take a minute to connect and you may need to try connecting again if the router hasn't finished booting.
You can now open a web browser and test out the first mesh node. If you have done everything correctly you should have internet connectivity through the first mesh node. Note though that if you don't make sure that you've got an IPv4 address through the network applet. You may also need to give the first mesh node a moment to boot up. It should be booted within 1-2 minutes.
It's advisable to change the default router password. To do this open a web browser and enter the routers IP into the address bar: https://192.168.9.1/ and hit enter.
You will get a warning message about the security of the site. This is normal. In Firefox based browsers click the Advanced... button and then the Accept the Risk and Continue button.
After having applied the mesh configuration the default password for the router log in is 'none' without the quotes. Enter it and click the Log in button.
Go to System > Administration and enter a new password in the Password and Confirmation boxes. The password entered should be the same. It is recommended that you enter a strong password here and then write the password down for safe keeping and future reference. Often people utilize a sticker or post-it note and attach it to the router. It's also advisable to label the router as mesh node #1. You may want to utilize the same router log in password for each of the mesh nodes to keep things simple.
Click the Save button.
Go to Network > Wireless and click the Edit button for libreCMC-1 SSID. Click the Wireless Security tab. Then enter a new password in the Key box. It is recommended that you enter a strong password here and then write the password down for safe keeping and future reference. Often people utilize a sticker or post-it note and attach it to the router. For simplicity you may want to utilize the same password for the libreCMC-1 SSID / access point as you do for the other mesh node SSIDs.
Click the Save button.
For the mesh-backend Mesh ID click the Edit button, then click the Wireless Security tab. It is recommended to set a unique password for your mesh network in the key box. This password here will need to be the same for every mesh node.
Click the Save button.
Click the Save & Apply button.
Go to System > Reboot and click the Perform reboot button.
Mesh Node #2
Connect the antennas, power, and an ethernet cable from the LAN port on a router to a PC you want to utilize to setup the 2nd mesh node.
From the network applet on your PC disconnect from any wifi access points you are connected to. Then connect to the wired network.
Note: It may take a minute to connect and you may need to try connecting again if the router hasn't finished booting.
Open a web browser and enter https://192.168.10.1/ into the address bar. Hit enter.
You will get a warning message about the security of the site. This is normal. In Firefox based browsers click the Advanced... button and then the Accept the Risk and Continue button.
Click the Log in button. There is no password on a router with a stock configuration.
Go to System > Backup / Flash Firmware and click the Upload archive... button.
Click the Browse button and locate the mesh-2-configuration-libreCMC-2024-10-03.tar.gz file.
Click the Select button, then the Upload button, and finally the Continue button to upload our mesh configuration.
On the PC disconnect from the wired network and reconnect. Your PC will be issued a new IP address in the 192.168.9.x range.
Note: It may take a minute to connect and you may need to try connecting again if the router hasn't finished booting.
You can now open a web browser and test out the 2nd mesh node. If you have done everything correctly you should have internet connectivity through the first mesh node.
It's advisable to change the default router password. To do this open a web browser and enter the routers IP into the address bar: https://192.168.9.2/ and hit enter.
You will get a warning message about the security of the site. This is normal. In Firefox based browsers click the Advanced... button and then the Accept the Risk and Continue button.
After having applied the mesh configuration the default password for the router log in is 'none' without the quotes. Enter it and click the Log in button.
Go to System > Administration and enter a new password in the Password and Confirmation boxes. Both of these passwords entered should be the same. It is recommended that you enter a strong password here and then write the password down for safe keeping and future reference. Often people utilize a sticker or post-it note and attach it to the router. It's also advisable to label the router as mesh node #2. You may want to utilize the same router log in password for each of the mesh nodes to keep things simple.
Click the Save button.
Go to Network > Wireless and click the Edit button for libreCMC-2 SSID. Click the Wireless Security tab. Then enter a new password in the Key box. It is recommended that you enter a strong password here and then write the password down for safe keeping and future reference. Often people utilize a sticker or post-it note and attach it to the router. For simplicity you may want to utilize the same password for the libreCMC-2 SSID / access point as you do for the other mesh node SSIDs.
Click the Save button.
For the mesh-backend Mesh ID click the Edit button, then click the Wireless Security tab. It is recommended to set a strong and long unique password for your mesh network in the key box. This password here will need to be the same for every mesh node.
Click the Save button.
Click the Save & Apply button.
Go to System > Reboot and click the Perform reboot button.
Repeat these steps for mesh nodes #3, #4, and #5, but keep in mind you will need to replace the last digit for routers address with the # of the node. For example, https://192.168.9.2 turns into https://192.168.9.3 for mesh node #3 and for the SSID replace libreCMC-2 with libreCMC-3 for mesh node #3, and so on.
The basic documentation and overview we ship with each pre-configured mesh kit is also available here available here.