[Imc-makerspace] Mesh Wifi and Computer Networking

Thu Jun 28 21:42:31 UTC 2012

Any mesh deployment needs to have support, and it's at the discretion of
each anchor institution to consider sharing their UC2B bandwidth via a mesh
(or hotspot for that matter) with the surrounding community. Putting
together a proof of concept or turnkey solution for this was an interest of
the mesh group, but that's not currently meeting. The mesh software is
coming along thanks to our friends at OTI, and the IMC does intend to mount
hardware on the new WRFU tower & begin a mesh from there. We'll hopefully
do that at the GRC.

I'm hoping to see some of the new updates to Commotion Mesh firmware this
weekend. As for the mesh wifi group, not meeting currently. If there are
institutions that want to talk about collaborating in this space I think
we'll see how things pan out with getting connected first and then see if
folks want to talk about mesh solutions.

Whatever happens does need to be sustainable. -Chris

On Thu, Jun 28, 2012 at 10:53 AM, Charles Schultz <sacrophyte at gmail.com>wrote:

> Again, just speaking on my personal impression, but I think your use of
> the word "fiefdom" is entirely appropriately and well earned. IMO. And yes,
> I very much agree this is against the intent of UC2B. I'll talk more with
> those folks again. My biggest worry is that anchor institutions just don't
> want any part of management/administration of hardware and topology due to
> fears of security ("oh noes, sharing my WIFI with *those* people??"). Has
> the Wifi Mesh group fully addressed that concern? :) You almost need a
> large volunteer base to be willing to take on the task of the humdrum of
> maintenance for these nodes, else most will just sit there collecting dust.
>
>
> On Thu, Jun 28, 2012 at 10:42 AM, Stewart Dickson <mathartspd at gmail.com>wrote:
>
>> Really?  "...closed off from the community..." sounds absolutely counter
>> to the intent of UC2B.   Your taxes pay for that school.   This sounds like
>> a political fiefdom talking to me.
>> Brandon Bowersox assured me that Churches, Boys & Girls Clubs, Metanoia
>> Center, etc. should all be able to connect their surrounding communities
>> via Mesh Wifi.  It is just a matter of making
>> the technology available to them, guiding and assisting them through
>> putting the antennas up.
>>
>> As for Shadow Wood -- and basically any other neighborhood, apartment
>> complex or homeowner's association -- Brandon told me specifically that
>> they can organize and apply as a group for a
>> reduced cost to get the fiber into their neighborhoods.  They should do
>> it today!
>>
>> -Stewart
>>
>>
>> On Thu, Jun 28, 2012 at 10:26 AM, Charles Schultz <sacrophyte at gmail.com>wrote:
>>
>>> Interesting. Can you elaborate a little more on "can and should"? When I
>>> talked to the Unit 4 Director of Technology (Roger Grinnip), he gave me the
>>> impression that the school anchors would be closed off from the community.
>>>
>>> Additionally, as I am working with folks at Shadow Wood, any opinion on
>>> extending the reaches of UC2B into a privately-owned trailer park? I am
>>> thinking of bringing this question to Dr. Eugene Barnes, who operates the
>>> Anchor Institution at 1313 N. Clock Street (Metanoia Center).
>>>
>>>
>>> On Thu, Jun 28, 2012 at 9:43 AM, Stewart Dickson <mathartspd at gmail.com>wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hey, I had Brandon Bowersox talking about UC2B on TechKnowLEdge this
>>>> morning and he reminded me that any of the UC2B Anchor Institutions
>>>> http://uc2b.net/handbook/#anchori   can and should be CUWin/Commotion
>>>> wired access points for Mesh Wifi.  UC2B connections for the anchor
>>>> institutions begin after July 4 -- next week!  Definitely need to work
>>>> on getting Commotion nodes in there as soon as they are live.
>>>>
>>>> Also, the Grassroots Radio Conference -- July 26-29 at the IMC -- has
>>>> tracks dedicated to Wireless Internet.
>>>> http://grassrootsradioconference.org/program/tracks
>>>>
>>>> Cheers,
>>>>
>>>> -Stewart
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Wed, Feb 15, 2012 at 8:57 AM, Derek Dagit <derek at dagit.name> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Hi all,
>>>>>
>>>>> We wanted to give you an important update about the Mesh Wifi Group.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> After considering feedback from participants, the Mesh Wifi Group will
>>>>> meet irregularly as interest demands.  The regular Thursday meeting time is
>>>>> difficult for some of the folks to make, and so we will no longer be
>>>>> meeting at that time.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> The current project to deploy a production-level mesh in the IMC is
>>>>> continuing under Chris with help from me and others, and the reading group
>>>>> may resume again as those interested have time available.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> The reading group might start regular meetings again in the summer, as
>>>>> that seemed to be a good time for most, but will broaden in scope to
>>>>> discuss computer networking in general.  It's focus will be to be a place
>>>>> to learn new skills and experiment with new ideas with other people
>>>>> interested and knowledgeable in networking.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> As always, you can post to the list or mail folks directly to get
>>>>> something going.
>>>>> --
>>>>> Derek
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Imc-makerspace mailing list
>>>>> Imc-makerspace at lists.chambana.net
>>>>> http://lists.chambana.net/mailman/listinfo/imc-makerspace
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
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>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Charles Schultz
>>>
>>
>>
>
>
> --
> Charles Schultz
>
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