Crazy wireless idea

[i_like_penguins]

I had an idea a while back and I am trying to find enough people crazy
enough to try and pull it off. Linux powered routers often support a
protocol (OLSR) for meshing the wireless network. I think it would be
an interesting challenge to try and create a small, kinda wide area,
wireless network. Once built, this network could be use for just about
anything. Since we would build the network, there would not be any
traffic shaping, port blocking, or application blocking like what
seems to happen on the real internet.

[kenny patenaude]

im game.  What type of proximity are we talking about?

[ecl...@gmail.com]

Who is i_like_ penguins. 

Thank you

[Brian Moore]

Let's do it.

However to be a mesh network, doesn't the wireless device need two antennas?  One to act as a receiver and one to connect to other mesh routers.

--
Brian Moore
moo...@gmail.com

[Byron Holldorf]

One antenna will do -- it splits the bandwidth between clients and other mesh devices.  DD-WRT does have both WDS and OLSR built in and they say it works with most routers.

We'd have massive problems with range.  The routers would practically have to be on poles on top of our houses to even have chance (and with that comes weatherproofing...yuck.).  I doubt we'd be able to get enough density to have anything connect to anything, short of paying a bunch of people to leave a device run in their attic.  I can't even get a wireless signal 4500ft to Brusky's house with only a pine tree in the way.

It might be neat as an academic exercise, but plain old hotspots may be a little more realistic...

On Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:27:21 -0500, Brian Moore <moo...@gmail.com> wrote:

> Let's do it.
>
> However to be a mesh network, doesn't the wireless device need two
> antennas? One to act as a receiver and one to connect to other mesh
> routers.
>

--

Using Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/mail/

[Nate Peterson]

This is actually the third time I have tried to reply to this thing. Let's see if it works this time. Check out this limk. http://www.highgainantennas.com/product_p/super%20g%20gen%20iii%20nf.htm My plan was just to snag one of these. There is a 800mw version, comes in a weather resistant package and has an n connector for the antenna and poe and mounting to boot. 800mw and about a 6bdi antenna should be just under the fcc limit.

On Sep 11, 2009 5:54 PM, "Byron Holldorf" <byronh...@gmail.com> wrote:

One antenna will do -- it splits the bandwidth between clients and other mesh devices.  DD-WRT does have both WDS and OLSR built in and they say it works with most routers.

We'd have massive problems with range.  The routers would practically have to be on poles on top of our houses to even have chance (and with that comes weatherproofing...yuck.).  I doubt we'd be able to get enough density to have anything connect to anything, short of paying a bunch of people to leave a device run in their attic.  I can't even get a wireless signal 4500ft to Brusky's house with only a pine tree in the way.

It might be neat as an academic exercise, but plain old hotspots may be a little more realistic...

On Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:27:21 -0500, Brian Moore <moo...@gmail.com> wrote: > Let's do it. > > Ho...

[i_like_penguins]

I'm new to this group.I have been playing with linux since the late
90s and using it seriously since about 03'. I have been looking at
this whole mesh idea for a while, but don't have enough buddies in the
right parts of eau claire to pull it off. I figured this would be good
way to expand the circle of geeks that I know. My last job was as an
administrator for a small ISP. Our public network was all linux, so I
have a good deal of experience from that side of things. I have lived
in Eau Claire my whole life and really like the area.

On Sep 11, 1:25 pm, ecl...@gmail.com wrote:
> Who is i_like_ penguins.
>
> Thank you
>

> On Sep 11, 2009, at 12:37 PM, kenny patenaude <kpatena...@gmail.com>  

[i_like_penguins]

It depends on the db gain on the antenna / transmitter tx power /
transmitter rx sensitivity / terrain and foliage. There is some
software that can generate nice propagation maps called !SPLAT that
works well. I think the best approach is going to be figure out who
all wants to try and get this going and what locations we have to work
with and go from there. If we only have two people who are interested
and they live on opposite sides of the city, we might have a problem.
The more people who are involved, the easier this gets. If anyone
knows anyone else who would be interested, linux or not, it would help
out allot. With line of sight conditions and good antennas, we might
be able to get some links up at 1/2 - 1 mile or maybe even longer if
we want to use directional antennas.

[Nate Peterson]

The second option would be to forgo the whole mesh thing and create a bunch of point to point links.  If you grab a switch that supports spanning tree, you could create redundant links without the worry of switching loops.  You would probably get better throughput this way as well. Where do you meet? I have seen cafe 420 and dooley's pub on the site and forums.

[ecl...@gmail.com]

We meet ea h Thursday at 7 pm at Dooleys pub. 

If you could attend you can explain more in details what you have in mind. 

See you there

Ec_lug

[Nate Peterson]

Under normal circumstances, that would work fine. But, this week is not looking good. I guess I can get crazy with visio if that would help. In the mean time, go nuts posting questions and I will do my best to answer them. Can pictures be posted to the group discussion boards? I have a few friends that may be interested as well.

On Sep 14, 2009 6:06 PM, <ecl...@gmail.com> wrote:

We meet ea h Thursday at 7 pm at Dooleys pub. 

If you could attend you can explain more in details what you have in mind. 

See you there

Ec_lug

On Sep 14, 2009, at 11:28 AM, Nate Peterson <puppy...@gmail.com> wrote: > The second option wou...