[CWN-Summit] [CUWiN Press Release] CUWiN Announces Public Release of Free Open Source Wireless Networking Software

[Sascha Meinrath]

***PLEASE FORWARD***



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



February 1, 2005

PRESS CONTACT:
  Sascha Meinrath
  (217)278-3933
  sascha at cuwireless.net
  CUWiN Website: http://www.cuwireless.net

CUWiN ANNOUNCES PUBLIC RELEASE OF FREE OPEN SOURCE WIRELESS NETWORKING 
SOFTWARE:

Imagine a free wireless networking system that any municipality, company, 
or group of neighbors could easily set up themselves.  Over the past 
half-decade, the Champaign-Urbana Community Wireless Network (CUWiN) has 
been developing an open source, turnkey wireless networking solution that 
exceeds the functionality of many proprietary systems.  CUWiN's vision is 
ubiquitous, extremely high-speed, low-cost networking for every community 
and constituency. Following in the footsteps of Linux and Firefox, CUWiN 
has focused on creating a low-cost, non-proprietary, user-friendly system. 
CUWiN's software will share connectivity across the network, allowing 
users to buy bandwidth in bulk and benefit from the cost savings.  CUWiN 
networks are self-configuring and self-healing -- so adding new wireless 
nodes is hassle-free, and the system automatically adapts to the loss of 
an existing node.  And, because CUWiN networks are completely ad-hoc, 
there's no need for expensive central servers or specialized 
administration equipment.

To set up a network, all end-users need to do is burn a CD with CUWiN's 
software (which will be available for free at http://www.cuwireless.net), 
put the CD into an old desktop computer equipped with a supported wireless 
card, and turn the computer on.  Once the computer boots from the CD, the 
rest of the setup is completely automated: from loading the networking 
operating system and software, sending out beacons to nearby nodes, 
negotiating network connectivity, and assimilating into the network -- all 
the complicated technical setup is taken care of automatically.  Unlike 
most broadband systems, CUWiN's software builds a local intranet as well 
as providing for Internet-connectivity -- thus, a town that uses CUWiN's 
system is also creating a community-wide local area network over which 
streaming audio and video, voice services, etc. can all be sent.

CUWiN is a cutting edge research and development initiative.  CUWiN has 
pioneered the first open source implementation of Hazy Sighted Link State 
routing protocol (first developed by BBN Technologies); thus CUWiN's 
software creates a highly robust, scalable ad-hoc wireless networks. 
CUWiN's route prioritization metric is based on research conducted at MIT 
and will automatically adapt to any network topology and local geography.

CUWiN's software is, and always will be, available for free.  CUWiN is a 
non-profit organization supported by grants and donations.  CUWiN's software 
provides one of the world's most advanced networking solutions available today; 
and we are now making our software available to the general public to use, 
test, and help develop.  We know that there are features and improvements that 
people will want to see in future releases -- as an open source project, we are 
counting on the feedback and input from people around the globe.

More information on setting up your own CUWiN network is available online 
now at: http://www.cuwireless.net/documentation

The latest version (0.5.5) of the CUWiN software will be available for 
public download by the end of the week at: 
http://www.cuwireless.net/downloads

A brief article on the background, history, and ethos of the CUWiN project 
is available at: www.comtechreview.org/article.php?article_id=259

***

About CUWiN:

The Champaign-Urbana Community Wireless Network (CUWiN) has built a 
communications system using wireless networking equipment. This is essentially 
the same "WiFi" equipment used in homes and offices, but we put it on rooftops 
to connect neighbors and form a high-speed community network.

CUWiN's three-part mission is to:  connect more people to Internet and 
broadband services; develop open-source hardware and software for use by 
wireless projects world-wide; and, build and support community-owned, 
not-for-profit broadband networks in cities and towns around the globe.

CUWiN gives communities a new choice for their communications infrastructure by 
building a house-to-house wireless "mesh." CUWiN makes it possible for 
neighbors to share broadband Internet access and services including Voice over 
IP as an alternative to traditional phone service, and alternatives to radio 
and cable -- such as live broadcasts from grassroots media-makers from 
Independent Media Centers and "Internet radio stations" in subscribers' homes.

OJC Technologies (http://www.ojctech.com) is our development home.
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