Community wireless networks: Difference between revisions

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[[Category: Development Team Research Pages]]
migrated to wireless dev
 
For the last year or so, I've been using some of my spare time to help with the creation of wireless community network in our suburb. This exercise helps me to get firsthand experience all the issues associated with community wireless networks and it lets me get a better understanding of normal network users and their needs.
 
The network started with a bunch of friends that all know each other, but when the word got out and a lot of other people wanted to join the network as well. Our network has now grown to almost 20 Nodes, running on Linksys WRT54GL routers with Freifunk firmware. We have a community backup server on the network where people can make an off-site backup of data. Internet connectivity is available via a 4Mbps ADSL link at one of the users homes. The guy with the ADSL link is also an active gamer and his only concern was that the community network will not affect his gaming.
 
Up to now it was unmonitored and free (sponsored by the guy with the ADSL link) to all the users. At this stage we have reached a point where we need to find a way for users to contribute to the costs of the Internet connection and to make sure that the rest of the network does not influence his gaming.
 
Live drawing of the nodes in our network:
[http://stats.meraka.csir.co.za/mesh/groenkloof-mesh.html]

Latest revision as of 17:35, 17 June 2009

migrated to wireless dev