MeshFile - Reliable File Transfer Over Meshtastic Networks

MeshFile is a lightweight tool for transmitting files over long-range, low-power LoRa networks using Meshtastic devices. It compresses files, splits them into chunks, and ensures integrity with SHA-256 hash verification. Missing chunks are automatically requested, making the system resilient to packet loss.

Features

• Reliable File Transfer – Ensures complete and accurate file delivery.

• Compression – Reduces file size before transmission.

• Chunked Transmission – Splits files into 200-byte packets.

• Hash Verification – SHA-256 hash checks ensure file integrity.

• Retransmission – Automatically requests missing chunks.

Hardware Requirements

• 2 x Raspberry Pi (3B/4 or Zero 2 W) – One for sending, one for receiving.

• 2 x Meshtastic LoRa Devices (e.g., T-Beam, Heltec LoRa 32)

• Antennas – Properly tuned to the frequency of your region (433 MHz, 868 MHz, or 915 MHz).

• USB Cable – To connect the LoRa devices to the Raspberry Pi.

Software Requirements

• Raspberry Pi OS (Lite or Desktop)

• Python 3

• Meshtastic Python Library

• zlib – For compression.

• hashlib – For SHA-256 hashing.

Setup

1. Install Raspberry Pi OS

• Download and flash Raspberry Pi OS (Lite or Desktop) using the Raspberry Pi Imager.

• Enable SSH (optional) by adding an empty ssh file in the /boot directory.

• Configure Wi-Fi (optional) by adding a wpa_supplicant.conf file in /boot.

2. Install Required Packages

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
sudo apt install python3-pip python3-serial git
pip3 install meshtastic

3. Connect Meshtastic Devices

1 Connect the LoRa device to each Raspberry Pi via USB.

2 Verify device detection:

ls /dev/ttyUSB*

3 Confirm connection:

python3 -m meshtastic --info

4. Clone MeshFile

git clone https://github.com/VeggieVampire/MeshFile
cd meshfile

Sending a File

python3 sender.py <file.txt> '<destination>'

• Compresses and sends the file in chunks.

• Hash is transmitted for verification.

Receiving a File (Continuous Listening)

nohup python3 receiver.py &

• Continuously listens for incoming files and reconstructs the file from received chunks.

• Verifies hash to ensure integrity.

Example Setup

Sender (Pi 1):

python3 sender.py <file.txt> '<destination>'

Receiver (Pi 2):

nohup python3 receiver.py &

License

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International

MeshFile - Reliable File Transfer Over Meshtastic Networks Copyright (C)