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Quick Start of Mesh IOT Network

This Quick Start covers the first successful end-to-end test: preparing a Mesh gateway, adding a Mesh Node to it, powering on the node, letting it enroll automatically, and confirming its data reaches the gateway.

Applies to: Dragino Mesh Node products (SN50V3-MS, S31B-MS) and one Dragino Mesh gateway
Firmware: Dragino MeshNode firmware based on Meshtastic LoRa technology
Network: Dragino private LoRa Mesh network

[photos to be added]

1. Before you start​

1.1 Required hardware and software​

  • One Mesh gateway.
  • One Mesh Node (e.g. SN50V3-MS or S31B-MS) with battery installed.
  • A LoRa antenna that matches the device's shipping Region.
  • The Dev EUI and App Key of the Mesh Node.
  • A computer or management terminal that can access the Mesh gateway management interface.

The Mesh gateway and node must use the same Region. Dragino supplies fixed-frequency versions for different countries or regions, so you do not need to configure radio parameters yourself. See the Frequency Plan page for the per-country shipping profiles.

warning

Always install the LoRa antenna before powering on the device. Transmitting without an antenna may damage the RF front end.

1.2 Basic network flow​

Mesh gateway running, node added (Dev EUI + App Key)
→ Node powered on (not enrolled)
→ Node automatically sends enrollment requests
→ Gateway receives a request and sends the enrollment configuration
→ Node becomes enrolled and follows its wake-up schedule
→ Node sends sensor data to the Mesh gateway
→ Data is available on the gateway for users or upper-layer applications

2. First network test​

2.1 Prepare the Mesh gateway​

  1. Keep the Mesh gateway powered on and running normally.
  2. Open the device management page of the Mesh gateway.
  3. Add the node.
  4. Enter the node's Dev EUI and App Key.
  5. Save the device information.
  6. Confirm that the Mesh gateway and the node use the same Region.

After saving, the node should be listed on the gateway device page. The gateway will automatically process enrollment requests from that node, so you do not need to send commands repeatedly.

2.2 Power on the Mesh Node​

  1. Install the LoRa antenna.
  2. Power on (or restart) the node.

A node that is not enrolled automatically sends enrollment requests: after its first startup or a restart, it sends up to 50 consecutive enrollment requests, giving the Mesh gateway sufficient time to discover and process it.

2.3 Enrollment completes automatically​

When the Mesh gateway receives an enrollment request from the node you added, it automatically sends the enrollment configuration to the node and completes enrollment. The node then stops the not-enrolled request process and begins normal data collection and scheduled wake-up operation.

2.4 Confirm successful enrollment​

  • The node is shown as enrolled on the Mesh gateway device page.
  • When the node is awake, briefly pressing the button once causes the green LED to light briefly.

If a brief press in the active state causes the blue LED to light, the node has not completed enrollment. Check the Dev EUI, App Key, and Region entered on the Mesh gateway.

If the first request cycle has already ended, wake the sleeping node: hold the button for about 1 second and release it after the green LED starts flashing; this triggers another enrollment attempt.

2.5 Trigger the first send and verify data​

  1. Confirm that the node is awake and enrolled.
  2. Hold the button for 1 to 3 seconds and release it to trigger a manual transmission.
  3. Open the Mesh gateway and check the node's data.

The green LED flashes while the node transmits, and the node's data should appear on the gateway and be available to users or upper-layer applications.

After enrollment, the node follows the wake-up schedule provided by the Mesh gateway:

Reach wake-up time → Wake up → Collect or prepare data → Send to Mesh gateway
→ Wait for a short communication window → Sleep

For S31B-MS, the reported data carries the SHT31 temperature and humidity plus the battery voltage.

If the node does not join

If the node stays not enrolled and no data arrives, check the Region match, the Dev EUI / App Key entered on the gateway, and the antenna. See the FAQ (question 6) for the full checklist.

3. Operation and next steps​

3.1 Button operations and LED status​

Once a node is running, the button and LED are all you need for day-to-day operation. The behavior depends on whether the node is asleep or awake.

While the node is asleep:

OperationLED indication
Tap the buttonThe green LED turns on while pressed and off when released, confirming that the node is asleep
Hold for about 1 secondThe LED starts flashing; release the button to wake the device

The green LED shown during the sleep state does not indicate that the node is enrolled.

While the node is awake and active:

OperationBehavior
Briefly press onceGreen LED lights briefly if enrolled, blue LED if not enrolled; indicates the node is awake
Release after holding 1–3 secondsGreen LED flashes if enrolled (blue if not); sends device telemetry
Release after holding 5–8 secondsRed LED flashes; release to restart the node (configuration is kept)
Release after holding at least 10 secondsRed, green, and blue LEDs cycle rapidly; release to reset the node to factory settings
Press 5 times within 5 secondsThe node enters sleep early and retains its next scheduled wake-up
Press 8 times consecutivelyThe node enters upgrade mode (Bootloader)

Restarting, resetting, and entering upgrade mode are three different actions and should not be treated as interchangeable.

3.2 Installation and Mesh coverage recommendations​

  • Install the antenna vertically and keep it away from large metal surfaces, high-power electrical equipment, and enclosed metal boxes.
  • Install the Mesh gateway as high as practical and in a location with minimal obstruction.
  • For initial setup, place the node near the Mesh gateway. After confirming normal enrollment and reporting, move it to the deployment location.
  • When intermediate nodes are used to extend coverage, confirm that they are awake during the required communication periods.
  • Install devices with solar panels in locations with stable sunlight, and prevent long-term obstruction from leaves, buildings, or accumulated dust.
  • Provide a drip loop for outdoor cables so that pulling force is not applied directly to waterproof connectors or probes.

3.3 Next steps​