View Full Version : Autonomous Networks - Mesh Networking
lukev
06-06-2005, 01:36 PM
Hey all,
Has there been any thought given to setting up cheap mesh networks in and aronud city areas? There is a lot of buzz on these topics and there seem to be a handful of "cheap" options available. I'm not sure what the legal implications of this are, considering that VANS are not allowed to lay their own infrastructure, but does the consumer qualify as a VAN when he participates in the network as a node, but does not own it?
There's a really good O'Reilly article about setting up a mesh network:
http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/a/wireless/2004/01/22/wirelessmesh.html
Cheers,
Luke.
Obelix
06-06-2005, 02:20 PM
goto www.jawug.za.net
stoke
06-06-2005, 02:23 PM
Obleix - A Mesh network is completely different from the 3 tier wireless network that jawug is running.
Methinks it's a much better prospect than jawug's way of doing it.
For a mesh network to work, you need about every 5th house to be running a point, and the more users there are, the better the network becomes.
I've tried to find an actual example of a working Mesh, and have failed dismally.
Luke - you find anything (Live and running) ?
lukev
06-06-2005, 03:53 PM
Hey Stoke,
I haven't seen a live mesh network, and there are some mixed reactions on their performance, especially for things like gaming and VOIP that require low latency. This to me is just a factor of technology, but the concept of a network that is self-maintaining and owned by nobody specific is very appealing.
Can anyone comment on the impact of a mesh network from a legal perspective?
IMHO the best products are:
4G Access Cube: http://www.4g-systems.de/en/Default.htm
LocustWorld MeshBox: http://www.locustworld.com/
I'm keen to set up a mesh network in the Musgrave (Durban) area if anyone is interested in hopping aboard. It'll be just for testing purposes to see if a mesh network is really feasable.
Cheers,
Luke.
Peapod
06-06-2005, 05:07 PM
Luke - you find anything (Live and running) ?
no but i did...
http://www.ebizasialink.com/news.asp?ArticleID=3570&SID=47
and indranet have a mesh operational in new zealand, aus and fiji.
http://www.intelsat.com/pdf/en/products/vsat/fintel.pdf
There is a Durban Wireless Community (DWC) which is striving towards this very goal. We are a growing community always looking for members so head on over to www.dwc.za.net add yourself to the nodedb list for Durban ppl and come to our monthly meetings to find out more about us!
Cheers