Mass provisioning ble mesh device for production.

[Nagajans]

Mass Provisioning of Nordic BLE Mesh Nodes - Mesh Networks - nRF5 SDK guides - Nordic DevZone

We are evaluating this mass‑provisioning approach. Is there an alternative mesh solution that does not require a reference node, or is a reference node still necessary to generate binary copies?

[Samruddhi Jadhav]

Hi,

According to our documentation, in a Nordic mesh network, in order to join the mesh, each device must be provisioned individually by the provisioner which gives the devices their own unicast addresses, network key as well as a unique device key. 

Our docs don't mention a method where you provision one "reference" node then copy its flash/binary image to other boards to mass-provision them. Currently, there isn't an alternative Nordic mesh solution that doesn't use a provisioner type device and only relies on cloning binaries. So, a provisioner/reference node is still necessary. 

Best Regards,

Samruddhi

[Nagajans]

I just want to confirm whether it’s possible to generate provisioned firmware copies using meshfwpatch.py, or if that capability is not supported.

[Samruddhi Jadhav]

Hi,

Apologies for the delay. Yes, it is possible and meshfwpatch.py supports generating provisioned firmware copies. According to the docs you provided, you provision one reference node, read its flash, then when you run meshfwpatch.py, it makes new pre-provisioned firmware images for more devices. It will update the device address and key. So, these can be flashed onto additional nodes. 

Best Regards,

Samruddhi