WISPiab specifications
Introduction
The following is our work copy of a specification / feature wish list for the WISP-in-a-box product.
It is meant to be commented and refined.
Business Models / Use cases
It is essential that the specifications be based on business model needs and real life use cases.
While these need to be refined and studied further (e.g. in the Wireless Africa II project),
we list some main examples and key words here.
Basic access models: Centralized and Mesh
The entrepreneur wants to offer both centralized (aka infrastructure, hot spot, access point) and mesh models
==> We need to implement both Access Point Management and Mesh protocols
Network Management
The entrepreneur needs to be able to monitor, manage, troubleshoot the network
==> We need network management SW plus interfaces, e.g. Nagios, Cactus, Webmin, ...
Voice Services
The entrepreneur wants to offerVoice services
==> We need to implement Asterisk, OpenSER or similar, plus additional management tools for these, if idnetified as needed
Billing
The entrepreneur wants to offer a variety of billing options, e.g. monthly subscription, time/voucher (airtime) based, free access
==> We need to implement billing and accomodate the various models on the box, in parallel (e.g. parallel free and closed segments, etc)
High level architecture
Our currently suggested architecture splits the WISPiab into two components:
- Front Access Node
- Back end server
This seems appropriate based on the analysis of the SW specs in detail. However, if test implementations seem to suggest reuniting the two tiers on one box, this is an open option, which might bring manageability benefits
Software Specification / Feature list for the WISP-in-a-box product
Base system, servers
- The box has X / GUI
- all configuration etc via browser based GUI, user friendly
- apache
- php
- mediawiki
- mysql
- DNS server (DDNS, DynDNS)
- Proxy / Cache
- Squid
- Postfix / Courier
- webmail: squirrelmail
- gmail syncing ?
- Google server local? (--> talk to gmail, Kobus)
- Spam/Virus control
- amavis
- spamassassin
locally stored updates
(Auth, Access, Security, Billing)
- ssh access
- Radius
- OpenLDAP
- OpenVPN
- GnuPG
- Billing
- Business models: Prepaid – voucher
- Captive portal
- Chilispot?
Storage, FS
- Redundancy
- Distributed, many stages, “graded distributed system”
- rsyncing cron'd
- NAS – iSCSI
- File servers
- SMB
- NFS
(Voice over IP)
- Asterisk
- OpenSER (--> Fraunhofer Institute, C written)SIP proxy-register
--> it46
- billing integration
- Aradial?
- Cyneric?
- NAT issues / STUN
- AsteriskNow
(Miscellaneous)
- a Local Library of SW
- patch management
- IpCOP
- wikipedia local copy
- Content Filtering ? - discussion to be had with
- Integrated Skilling / Education
- Routing Protocols
- Quagga?
- OLSR
- b.a.t.m.a.n.
- X Server / KDrive
- QoS
- Traffic Shaping Layer 7
- MasterShaper?
- Virtualization (XenSource)
Hardware Specification / Feature list for the WISP-in-a-box product
To be spec'ed after completion of SW specs.
Minimum requirements
General requirements for all elements
Wattage: 12 V
Front access node
Network interfaces 2 minimum, maybe more
Back end server
external switch
Hardware candidates
| Table 1: Table title | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | candidate for | CPU Memory Storage | Power | Wireless | Cost | Comments
dataevolution.com decTOP etc |
| dataevolution.com decTOP etc | server? |
Memory 128MB SDRAM 10GB HDD |
power: ? | - | ? | comments
|
| FON(ERA) | access node |
CPU: MIPS 180 MHz Memory: 16 MB ram |
power | wireless | EUR 40 | comments
|
| Inveneo Outdoor WiFi Access Point | access node, server (?) | ??? ask Inveneo | power | 802.11 b/g
Athenos chipset Peak power: +24dBm (250mW) || Single Radio: $469 USD* Dual Radio: $659 USD* || incl antennas, install kits, outdoor ready | ||
| Inveneo Hub server | server |
1.2GHz VIA C7 nanoBGA2 Fanless VIA CN700 North Bridge VIA VT8237RP High-bandwidth Vlink Client South Bridge 51MB standard, 1GB optional One RS-232C serial port (DB-9) Four USB 2.0 ports (two in front, two in back) |
< 20 W | - | Price: starting at $$785 USD* | incl many things, see site :) |
| Linksys WRT54G(L) | access node | cpu memory storage etc | power | wireless | USD 45 | comments
|
| Meraki outdoor | access node |
Bootloader: RedBoot CPU: Atheros AR2315 CPU Speed: 180 Mhz Flash size: 8 MB RAM: 32 MB |
Power consumption: 12W max; 3W typical |
* 200 mW (23dBm) peak transmission power* * Enhanced receive sensitivity * External RP-SMA connector * 802.11 b/g (1-54 Mbps) * 2dBi omni directional antenna included |
USD 49/99 | note EULA issues! |
| Mini-ITX / VIA / LEX / Jetway etc | access node, server | varies | power | wireless | cost | see http://www.mini-itx.com/ http://www.via.com.tw/en/products/mainboards/
|
| Soekris boards | access node, server (?) | cpu memory storage etc | power | wireless | cost | comments
|
| Ultra Mobile PCs / sub laptops | becoming a valid candidate as Backend/server component? |
many candidates with differing specs, need to check out and test: * OLPC * eMate 300 * Classmate PC * Linutop, Geode LX -based computer * Longmeng or Dragon Dream, China * Tianhua GX-1C, Sinomanic in China * VIA pc-1 Initiative, VIA Technologies digital divide program. * Zonbu, a low-cost desktop computer * Eee PC, by ASUS and Intel (!!!) * Clio NXT. * InkMedia MC, another low-cost subnotebook * Elonex_ONE, subnotebook, expected to be £99
|
??? - typically low, 3 Watts for OLPC-X01 | typically built in |
EUR 250 - 400 * OLPC * eMate 300 * Classmate PC * Linutop, Geode LX -based computer EUR 280 * Longmeng or Dragon Dream, China * Tianhua GX-1C, Sinomanic in China * VIA pc-1 Initiative, VIA Technologies digital divide program. * Zonbu, a low-cost desktop computer * Eee PC, by ASUS and Intel (!!!) * Clio NXT. * InkMedia MC, another low-cost subnotebook * Elonex_ONE, subnotebook, expected to be £99
|
needs testing and verification as candidates
|
| WRAP boards | access node, server (?) | cpu memory storage etc | power | wireless | cost | comments |
Solar part
Solar Kit to be spe'ed after HW power is known