>>Contents
• `F0af`_`[The easy way for end users`#the-easy-way-for-end-users]`_`f
• `F0af`_`[The advanced way`#the-advanced-way]`_`f
• `F0af`_`[A simple way to build a LoRa network`#a-simple-way-to-build-a-lora-network]`_`f
• `F0af`_`[Recommended reading`#recommended-reading]`_`f
>>The easy way for end users
• On Linux/Mac/Windows, install `F0af`_`[MeshChatX`:/page/wiki.mu`path=MeshChatX]`_`f.
• On Android, install `F0af`_`[Columba`:/page/wiki.mu`path=Columba]`_`f, the most user friendly app for Reticulum.
• On iOS, you'll have to wait a bit for the upcoming iOS version of Columba.
Follow the onboarding instructions of the app to connect to the global Reticulum backbone.
>>The advanced way
• Install and run the `F0af`_`[Reticulum Network Stack`:/page/wiki.mu`path=RNS]`_`f as a service.
• To connect to the global Reticulum backbone, see `F0af`_`[Interface › Getting started`:/page/wiki.mu`path=Interface|anchor=getting-started]`_`f.
• Install `F0af`_`[NomadNet`:/page/wiki.mu`path=NomadNet]`_`f if the terminal is your friend, or `F0af`_`[MeshChatX`:/page/wiki.mu`path=MeshChatX]`_`f if you prefer a GUI.
>>A simple way to build a LoRa network
1. Get some `F0af`_`[hardware`:/page/wiki.mu`path=Hardware]`_`f for use as `F0af`_`[RNodes`:/page/wiki.mu`path=RNode]`_`f.
2. Flash them with Liam Cottle's or RNS Moscow's RNode flasher.
3. Install `F0af`_`[Columba`:/page/wiki.mu`path=Columba]`_`f (Android) or `F0af`_`[MeshChatX`:/page/wiki.mu`path=MeshChatX]`_`f (Linux/Mac/Windows/Android) as companion apps.
4. Add RNode `F0af`_`[interfaces`:/page/wiki.mu`path=Interface]`_`f in the companion apps, using the same `F0af`_`[LoRa parameters`:/page/wiki.mu`path=LoRa_parameters]`_`f for all RNodes (see also `F0af`_`[Popular RNode settings`:/page/wiki.mu`path=Popular_RNode_settings]`_`f).
5. Start communicating.
`*`!Note:`! There are many other ways to`* `F0af`_`[build networks ↗`a8d24177d946de4f1f0a0fe1af9a1338:/page/blob.mu`g=reticulum|r=reticulum|ref=HEAD|path=docs/markdown/networks.md|anchor=building-networks]`_`f `*with Reticulum, this is simply a quick way to get started.`*
>>Recommended reading
`F0af`_`[The official manual ↗`a8d24177d946de4f1f0a0fe1af9a1338:/page/blob.mu`g=reticulum|r=reticulum|ref=HEAD|path=docs/markdown/index.md|anchor=reticulum-network-stack-manual]`_`f is by far the best resource for learning about Reticulum.
• Read `F0af`_`[What is Reticulum? ↗`a8d24177d946de4f1f0a0fe1af9a1338:/page/blob.mu`g=reticulum|r=reticulum|ref=HEAD|path=docs/markdown/whatis.md|anchor=what-is-reticulum]`_`f for a high-level introduction.
• Read the `F0af`_`[Zen of Reticulum ↗`a8d24177d946de4f1f0a0fe1af9a1338:/page/blob.mu`g=reticulum|r=reticulum|ref=HEAD|path=docs/markdown/zen.md|anchor=zen-of-reticulum]`_`f to understand its foundational philosophy and goals.
• Read `F0af`_`[Understanding Reticulum ↗`a8d24177d946de4f1f0a0fe1af9a1338:/page/blob.mu`g=reticulum|r=reticulum|ref=HEAD|path=docs/markdown/understanding.md|anchor=understanding-reticulum]`_`f for a deeper understanding of how it works, what it can achieve and how you can use it.
• Read `F0af`_`[Building Networks ↗`a8d24177d946de4f1f0a0fe1af9a1338:/page/blob.mu`g=reticulum|r=reticulum|ref=HEAD|path=docs/markdown/networks.md|anchor=building-networks]`_`f to gain the knowledge needed to build your own Reticulum network.
This wiki can serve as a starting point for exploring the manual. It explains things more briefly and refers to the manual for more details.
The following concepts are key to understanding how the `F0af`_`[Reticulum Protocol`:/page/wiki.mu`path=Reticulum_Protocol]`_`f works:
• `F0af`_`[Identity`:/page/wiki.mu`path=Identity]`_`f
• `F0af`_`[Node`:/page/wiki.mu`path=Node]`_`f
• `F0af`_`[Transport node`:/page/wiki.mu`path=Transport_node]`_`f
• `F0af`_`[Destination`:/page/wiki.mu`path=Destination]`_`f
• `F0af`_`[Announce`:/page/wiki.mu`path=Announce]`_`f
• `F0af`_`[Path`:/page/wiki.mu`path=Path]`_`f
• `F0af`_`[Interface`:/page/wiki.mu`path=Interface]`_`f