[GRLUG] Mesh networking, localnet and Internet infrastructure

[Michael Mol]

On Mon, May 18, 2009 at 7:35 PM, Tim Schmidt <timschmidt at gmail.com> wrote:
> On Mon, May 18, 2009 at 10:24 PM, Michael Mol <mikemol at gmail.com> wrote:
>> FWIW, you can download the *source code* to my WL-330ge from ASUS's
>> website; It already runs Linux.  The WL-330ge also contains two
>> radios, which it normally uses for bridging networks, or for
>> redistributing one SSID as a different SSID.
>
> Indeed.  Just as you can download the source code for most wireless
> routers running Linux these days.  The fact that you can download it,
> however, does not mean it is of respectable quality, or that you can
> even build it for that matter (often, you can't.  Embedded folks are
> fond of using "creatively" patched build environments.)  OpenWRT is a
> quality completely-FOSS, easily buildable firmware replacement for
> routers.  All the source is available, under BSD, GPL, LGPL, or
> similarly permissive licenses.  It's much higher quality in just about
> every respect than any SOHO router firmware.
>
>> Would that be on Leonard between the 5th/3rd and 131?
>
> Yes.  Across the corner from the 5/3rd.
>
>> I'd be curious what the range of a wifi cantenna point-to-point link
>> would be--without serious tweaking, and while remaining within the
>> power/gain regulations.
>
> from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wi-Fi#Distance_records
>
> Distance records (using non-standard devices) include 382 km (237 mi)
> in June 2007, held by Ermanno Pietrosemoli and EsLaRed of Venezuela,
> transferring about 3 MB of data between mountain tops of El Aguila and
> Platillon.[14][15] The Swedish Space Agency transferred data 310 km
> (193 mi), using 6 watt amplifiers to reach an overhead stratospheric
> balloon.[16]

I'm familiar with the 802.11 distance competitions, but I'm trying for
an easy-to-implement solution; You can't popularize localnets if
they're a royal pain to set up.  That's why I said "without serious
tweaking."

>
>> It's also possible that such a point-to-point
>> link could be picked up and used by any 802.11 transcievers between
>> the two cantennas, suggesting that local omnidirectional sharing of
>> the link is possible.  We should set up a list of Lat-long coords
>> where interested individuals would be willing to set up PtP or omni
>> nodes, and figure out which are within range of each other. (Nearest
>> intersection is likely good enough, if privacy is a concern.)
>
> I'm all for it.  As I mentioned, corner of Alpine and Leonard, GR, NW for me.

Anyone know of a Google Maps mashup or similar that would allow
visitors to add points to the map in a fairly generic fashion?  It
would seem to be the easiest way to map out meshhub candidates.

Also, I know a guy who'd be happy to stick it to the local broadband
providers, if he could; He comes over every now and then and we gripe
to each other about the misleading marketing put out by the TBP
(TV/Broadband/phone) duopolies.  I could probably get him to put up
and maintain a node on his roof (or even elevated farther, depending
on local regs).

It'd really be nice to get mesh coverage along some of the arteries in
town.  Say, for example, from 60th and Division north to Leonard,
Leonard and Lake Michigan Drive from Wilson to Division, 28th st from
Wilson to E. Beltline, and Chicago Drive/Grandville Ave from Jenison
to Wealthy.  Conveniently, all of those arteries cross, so it'd be
possible to test multihop latency, signal strength and congestion
issues, and look for ways to improve routing and reliability. (i.e.
could a sideband cantenna link provide a shortcut along Division from
28th to 36th?  28th to 44th?)  Also conveniently, several of those
arteries double as major components of bus routes, so it would be
quite possible to test node handoff and commuter signal access.

Finally, some interesting reading material:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_wireless_mesh_networking
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RONJA
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_wireless_community_networks_by_region#Michigan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_community_network
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neighbourhood_Internet_Service_Provider
-- 
:wq