What is a Room Server?

What is a MeshCore Room Server?

A Room Server is a store-and-forward bulletin board that runs directly on a LoRa node running MeshCore firmware. It acts as a shared message board for the mesh community - any node that can reach the room server can post and read messages without needing internet access or a central server. The whole point of a room server (versus an ordinary channel) is that it retains message history: roaming users who were out of range can come back later and pull the messages they missed, much like an email server.

Key Characteristics

• Storage: MessagesThe areroom heldserver inretains RAMmessage history and clearedpushes it to clients when they connect - a client receives the previous 32 unseen messages on login. (Persistence across a reboot/power cycle - there is no persistent storage. The exact message capacity depends on your firmware and hardware; do not assume messages survive a power loss without verifying on your firmware version.)
• Access control: Three-tierTwo passwords - an admin password systemand a guest password - plus a per-companion ACL (Admin,setperm Guest,<pubkey> <level>, with levels Guest / Read-only / Read-write / Admin) and a separate set allow.read.only flag for unauthenticated read-only).read access.
• Repeater hybrid: A room server can also be configured as a repeater with set repeat on, but this is a trade-off - room servers benefit from an indoor location for USB/Bluetooth administration, whereas repeaters perform best with a high external antenna.
• Radio requirements: The room server's radio preset (frequency/bandwidth/spreading factor/coding rate) must match the network'srest companionsof the network; otherwise its packets and repeatersadverts or it will notcannot be discoverable.received by other nodes.

PasswordAccess TiersControl

MeshCore room servers use two passwords plus a per-companion ACL - not a single "three-tier" password ladder:

RoleMechanism	Default Password	Permissions
Admin password	password	Full control: manage users,permissions, delete messages, change all settings
Guest password	hello	Read and write messages once authenticated as a guest
NonePer-companion ACL (setperm)	per node	Levels: Guest / Read-only / Read-write / Admin

set allow.read.only flagoffWhen enabled, allows unauthenticated read-only access; off by default (no password)N/ARead-onlyautomatic accessno-password read)

Warning: Both default passwords must be changed immediately after first login. The default admin password password and guest password hello are publicly known.

Why Room Servers Matter

Room servers enable asynchronous community communication entirely over the mesh. A traveler passing through can read recent area messages, a neighborhood can coordinate during a power outage, or volunteers can leave notes for the next person who checks in - all without any internet connection or cellular infrastructure. Because the server stores and re-pushes missed messages, participants do not all need to be in range at the same time.