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content:servalmesh:main_page [01/05/2013 23:14]
Andrew Bettison [Forthcoming releases] link to technology roadmap |
content:servalmesh:main_page [06/01/2015 08:04] (current)
Andrew Bettison Release 0.92 |
| ====== Serval Mesh ====== | ====== Serval Mesh ====== |
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| {{ :content:technologies:screenshot-serval-mesh-0.90-main-screen.png?200|Screenshot of Serval Mesh 0.90 “Shiny” main screen}} Serval Mesh is the Serval Project's flagship product. It is a [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_and_open-source_software|free and open-source]] app for [[http://developer.android.com/about/versions/android-2.2-highlights.html|Android 2.2 “Froyo”]] and later. The latest official release of the Serval Mesh app is freely available from [[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.servalproject&hl=en|Google Play]]. | {{ :content:technologies:screenshot-serval-mesh-0.92-main-screen.png?200|Screenshot of Serval Mesh pre-release 0.90 “Shiny” main screen}}[[:content:tech:serval_mesh|Serval Mesh]] is the Serval Project's flagship product. It is a [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_and_open-source_software|free and open-source]] app for [[http://developer.android.com/about/versions/android-2.2-highlights.html|Android 2.2 “Froyo”]] and later, under continuous [[development|development]]. The latest official release of the Serval Mesh app is freely available from [[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.servalproject&hl=en|Google Play]]. |
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| Serval Mesh allows people to make [[content:technologies:vomp|voice calls]], send [[content:technologies:meshms|text messages]] and [[content:technologies:rhizome|share files]] with other Serval Mesh users, without requiring infrastructure like satellites, cell phone towers, WiFi hot spots, or radio repeaters. The primary motivation is to provide resilient communications during crisis and disaster situations, when vulnerable infrastructure like phone cell towers and mains electricity are cut off. Serval Mesh is also useful for remote communities who lack conventional telephone services, small organisations who need an internal telephone system, and dissidents in oppressive countries that deny or monitor their citizens' telecommunications. | Serval Mesh allows people to make [[:content:tech:VoMP|voice calls]], send [[:content:tech:MeshMS|text messages]] and [[:content:tech:Rhizome|share files]] with other Serval Mesh users, without requiring infrastructure like satellites, cell phone towers, Wi-Fi hot spots, or radio repeaters. The primary motivation is to provide resilient communications during crisis and disaster situations, when vulnerable infrastructure like phone cell towers and mains electricity are cut off. Serval Mesh is also useful for remote communities who lack conventional telephone services, small organisations who need an internal telephone system, and dissidents in oppressive countries that deny or monitor their citizens' telecommunications. |
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| Serval Mesh uses an Android device's [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wi-Fi|WiFi]] in [[http://compnetworking.about.com/cs/wirelessfaqs/f/adhocwireless.htm|Ad Hoc]] mode to communicate directly with other devices within range. To do so requires [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_rooting|root permission]] on the Android device. On devices where root permission is not available, Serval Mesh can communicate using WiFi in normal access-point mode, but this requires an Access Point within range. Serval Mesh can use standard Internet connections such as [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3G|3G]] mobile data, home/office WiFi router-modems, and wired networks (USB or Ethernet) to communicate with other devices. | Serval Mesh can use the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wi-Fi|Wi-Fi]] capabilities built into Android to connect with other devices within range. This requires a near by [[http://compnetworking.about.com/cs/wireless/g/bldef_ap.htm|Access Point]], or turning on the portable HotSpot feature of one device. On some device's Serval Mesh can use [[http://compnetworking.about.com/cs/wirelessfaqs/f/adhocwireless.htm|Ad Hoc]] mode to communicate directly with other devices within range, allowing communications to be easily relayed over multiple hops. To do so requires [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_rooting|root permission]] on the Android device. |
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| ==== How to install ==== | ==== Supported devices ==== |
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| There are three options for installing Serval Mesh on an Android device: | The [[Supported devices]] page lists all the Android devices that have been tried with Serval Mesh. If your device is not in the list, and you try it out anyway, please [[:content:contact|contact the Serval Project]] to let us know how it went. |
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| - To install the current release, simply [[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.servalproject|download from Google Play]]. | ==== How to install ==== |
| - The slightly more adventurous may download an [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/APK_(file_format)|APK file]] directly from the [[http://developer.servalproject.org/site/?page_id=644|servalproject.org Software page]], which is usually the current release but is sometimes a beta version (release candidate) of the next release. [[:content:android:tips:install_apk|These instructions for installing an APK file]] may prove helpful once you have downloaded. | |
| - The truly adventurous may [[development|build and install from source code]] which gives access to all versions, from old releases to the latest unreleased code under development. | There are several ways to install on an Android device. You may EITHER: |
| | * [[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.servalproject|Install the latest release from Google Play]], OR |
| | * [[http://developer.servalproject.org/files/serval.apk|Download the latest release]] as an [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/APK_(file_format)|APK file]], then [[:content:android:tips:install_apk|install it on your device]], OR |
| | * [[http://developer.servalproject.org/files/|Download a release candidate or old release]] as an [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/APK_(file_format)|APK file]], then [[:content:android:tips:install_apk|install it on your device]], OR |
| | * [[development|Build from the latest (unreleased) development source code]] |
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| Once installed, refer to [[installation|Serval Mesh installation notes]] for guidance through the installation process. | Once installed, refer to [[installation|Serval Mesh installation notes]] for guidance through the installation process. |
| ==== Current release ==== | ==== Current release ==== |
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| * [[content:servalmesh:releases:version_0_90_1|Version 0.90.1]] was released in February 2013 to correct serious issues in [[content:servalmesh:releases:version_0_90|Version 0.90 “Shiny”]] | * [[.:releases:version_0_92|Version 0.92]] was released in October 2014 |
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| | ==== Next release ==== |
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| | * [[.:releases:version_0_93|Version 0.93]] is currently under development |
| | * if you [[Google Play Testing|register with Google Play as a Beta tester]], you can install and update the latest Beta version directly from [[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.servalproject|Google Play]] |
| | * http://developer.servalproject.org/files/beta/ contains the latest Beta builds for those who don't agree to Google Play's terms of service, or wish to side-load onto multiple devices |
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| ==== Forthcoming releases ==== | ==== Forthcoming releases ==== |
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| * Hotfix releases 0.90.2, 0.90.3, etc. will be made to correct any serious issues if necessary | * Hotfix releases 0.92.1, 0.92.2, etc. might be made to correct any serious issues with [[.:releases:version_0_92|Version 0.92]] |
| * Versions 0.91, 0.92 etc. are interim feature releases planned for the first half of 2013 | * Versions 0.93, 0.94 etc. interim releases might be made during 2015 |
| * [[content:servalmesh:releases:version_1_0|Version 1.0 “Showtime”]] is planned for release in mid 2013 | * [[.:releases:version_1_0|Version 1.0 “Showtime”]] is planned for eventual release |
| * The [[content:tech:roadmap|Technology Roadmap]] describes features under consideration for 1.x and 2.x releases | * [[:content:tech:]] lists features under consideration for 1.x and 2.x releases |
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| ==== Reporting bugs ==== | ==== Reporting bugs ==== |
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| To report a bug in Serval Mesh, please refer to the following instructions: | To report a bug in Serval Mesh, please refer to the following instructions: |
| * [[content:dev:reporting_bugs|how to report bugs to the Serval Project]] - for the procedure to follow | * [[:content:dev:reporting_bugs|how to report bugs to the Serval Project]] - for the procedure to follow |
| * [[content:servalmesh:development|information for Serval Mesh developers]] - to work out under which repository to file the report | * [[development|information for Serval Mesh developers]] - to work out under which repository to file the report |
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| If that is not your cup of tea, you may wish to [[content:contact|contact the Serval Project]] directly. | If that is not your cup of tea, you may wish to [[:content:contact|contact the Serval Project]] directly. |
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| ==== Developers and contributors ==== | ==== Developers and contributors ==== |
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| The [[content:servalmesh:development|instructions for Serval Mesh developers]] are for anybody interested in contributing to the development of Serval Mesh software. | The [[development|instructions for Serval Mesh developers]] are for anybody interested in contributing to the development of Serval Mesh software. |
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| ==== Previous releases ==== | ==== Previous releases ==== |
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| * [[content:servalmesh:releases:version_0_90|Version 0.90 “Shiny”]] was released in January 2013 | * [[.:releases:version_0_92|Version 0.92]] was released in October 2014 |
| * [[content:servalmesh:releases:version_0_08|Version 0.08]] was released in late June 2012 | * [[.:releases:version_0_91|Version 0.91]] was released in July 2013 |
| * [[content:servalmesh:releases:version_0_07|Version 0.07]] was released in December 2011 | * [[.:releases:version_0_90_1|Version 0.90.1]] was released in February 2013 to correct some serious issues in 0.90 “Shiny” |
| * [[content:servalmesh:releases:version_0_06|Version 0.06]] was released in September 2011 | * [[.:releases:version_0_90|Version 0.90 “Shiny”]] was released in January 2013 |
| | * [[.:releases:version_0_08|Version 0.08]] was released in late June 2012 |
| | * [[.:releases:version_0_07|Version 0.07]] was released in December 2011 |
| | * [[.:releases:version_0_06|Version 0.06]] was released in September 2011 |
