PMB WiFi Mesh

wifi_dude · Sep 13, 2005

Ok this is just a quick post informing everyone that I am starting up a free community-run wifi mesh in Pietermaritzburg. Connection will be free barring the equipment cost if you don't have. Thats obvious.

Services to be supplied, well I'm going to allow email access to everyone. I'm also going to setup a CS and UT2004 dedicated server. I'll also be setting up a VoIP server as well. For now the wifi network will be unrestricted as I'd like to see how things go. Should throuhput drop or be abused I'll implement shaping.

I just want to gather if there is anyone that would like to get on the link? At the moment you'll need to obtain an IP address or IP network (if you want to connect multiple PCs without NAT) from me. You'll be able to associate to the highsite, but unless you have an allowed IP network then you are not going to be able to do any IP traffic.

*Question to JAWUG: Should I run DHCP? Or static?"

This network is a community run network. Its free to all those that wish to access it or make use of it. I'm not supplying internet. the closest you'll get to internet is an email address. Maybe later on internet access will be available.

If you'd like to participate, drop me an email at wifi_dude@nebkom.co.za with some details as well as where abouts you are. At the moment, the service is only available in the in the Pehlam, Cleland, Central CDB, Belview and surrounds areas. If you are able to see the Pollyshorts SPAR then contact me. If you can service an area that is not covered by the highsite but you are able to see the Pollyshorts SPAR and would like to setup a Transit Node, please contact me urgently.

Backbone links are available in Cleland at the moment. I'm in the process of setting up another backbone link in Woodlands and Athlone/Clarendon.

I apologize if I am infringing on copyrights, but JAWUG set the trend, and I am merely following it.

TheRoDent · Sep 13, 2005

Copyrights ? Feh!

Congratulations. I hope you can get the people in PMB whipped up. I'd recommend using static adressing for the moment. It makes diagnosing links much easier when you don't have a moving IP to deal with

simons · Sep 14, 2005

i emailed you

bboy · Sep 14, 2005

well at the moment i can't really connect my network to yours as mine is on a business! but i can help out if you need!

skydog · Sep 14, 2005

well done wifi_dude. Maybe one day the PMB WUG and DWC will connect.

Not sure if you aware that JAWUG has allocated IP addressing for JHB, CT, Pretoria and DBN.
I don't know if they will/can/are going to allocate you an IP range. just incase any of the meshes meet.

you welcome to get equipment and help of course from us. in Durbs

Well Done and good luck

scatlett · Sep 14, 2005

thought there was a pmb mesh already

TheRoDent · Sep 15, 2005

well, apparently not?

skydog · Sep 15, 2005

if there is even better i guess. they can join the two networks together

bboy · Sep 15, 2005

there is a saol and some other network that both seem to have 4 points that cover most of pmb, but nobody knows that they are for

wifi_dude · Sep 15, 2005

I'm using my own IP allocations at the moment.

The WUG is currently undergoing connection testing as I don't want a half hearted job done.

I'll post when the WUG goes live completely. Should be end of the month

wifi_dude · Sep 15, 2005

skydog said:
well done wifi_dude. Maybe one day the PMB WUG and DWC will connect.

Not sure if you aware that JAWUG has allocated IP addressing for JHB, CT, Pretoria and DBN.
I don't know if they will/can/are going to allocate you an IP range. just incase any of the meshes meet.

you welcome to get equipment and help of course from us. in Durbs

Well Done and good luck

Hi Skydog,

Thanks so much for the information and the help. I'll definately give you a shout if I need your help. At the moment, NebKom is sponsoring us our equipment. They are also sponsoring us 128K of bandwidth for email use only. So people on the PMB WUG will be able to use email only at the moment.

Cheers

wifi_dude · Sep 21, 2005

Initial testing completed.

Will be rolling out very shortly. Keep your eyes glued to this. The network is based on JAWUG just with a different IP range. I'm using the OLSR protocol and a bit of QoS for the VoIP. Email server is ready to go, just need to get a domain registered now. Those that are interested in connecting up, please let me know either via the forum, PM, or email at wifi_dude@nebkom.co.za

Thanks guys

Will let you know when all is operational, hopefully in the next 2 weeks

By then I should have 3 more highsites that should cover the entire PMB area all the way up to Hilton.

wifi_dude · Sep 21, 2005

Sorry guys, got set back. Made a mistake with the IP allocations. Thanks to Daffy, PMB has now been assigned an official IP range.

Thanks guys.

skydog · Sep 22, 2005

wifi_dude you got a website yet?

wifi_dude · Sep 22, 2005

one thing at a time skydog... but no, not yet

Will post once I put one up.

wifi_dude · Oct 3, 2005

Just to inform you guys, I am still working on the mesh, incase you think I've forgotten about it.

Confirmed IP networks as listed below:

Code:

ID	Network		Range				Broadcast	Subnet		Mask		Comment
1	172.20.0.0	172.20.0.1 - 172.20.63.254	172.20.63.254	255.255.192.0	18		Main Net 1
2	172.20.64.0	172.20.64.1 - 172.20.95.254	172.20.95.255	255.255.224.0	19		Main Net 2
3	172.20.96.0	172.20.96.1 - 172.20.111.254	172.20.111.255	255.255.240.0	20		Main Net 3
4	172.20.112.0	172.20.112.1 - 172.20.119.254	172.20.119.255	255.255.248.0	21		Main Net 4
5	172.20.120.0	172.20.120.1 - 172.20.123.254	172.20.123.255	255.255.252.0	22		Reserve 1
6	172.20.124.0	172.20.124.1 - 172.20.124.254	172.20.124.255	255.255.255.0	24		Admin 1 - Backbones
7	172.20.125.0	172.20.125.1 - 172.20.125.254	172.20.125.255	255.255.255.0	24		Admin 2 - Point to Point
8	172.20.126.0	172.20.126.1 - 172.20.127.254	172.20.127.255	255.255.254.0	23		Admin 3 - Wireless Links

Final testing will be done this week before we start allowing new people online. For now, in order to get onto the WUG, you'll need to be assigned either a netblock (if you want to be a transnet node, or if you want to connect multiple PC's on your lan) or a single IP address. the can be done by contacting me on wifi_dude@nebkom.co.za.

I'll advertise later on where the Highsites are and what their SSID's are. You should pick them up soon.

Highsite1 is located in cleland on SSID:
pawug_cleland-1 - First 16db Sector
pawug_cleland-2 - Second 16db Sector

I'll be putting up a website once things go live.

Thanks guys

Setsquare · Oct 3, 2005

Dont forget to take pics of the install

Ryder_JHB · Oct 4, 2005

...and to sign the weatherproof enclosure in blue pen (and add a smiley face and a link to an anti-telkom site)

skydog · Oct 4, 2005

"...and to sign the weatherproof enclosure in blue pen (and add a smiley face and a link to an anti-telkom site) "

hey setsquare we forgot to do that!
we better get back and do it!

wifi_dude · Oct 4, 2005

Quick bit of advice on the routing side?

I was thinking of assigning clients a /30 netblock and then route that block via the dedicated wireless IP network.

Basically:

Highsite:
--------
LAN: 172.20.124.1/29
WIFI: 172.20.126.1/28

Routes: 172.20.0.0/30 via 172.20.126.2 (Client 1)

Client 1:
-------
LAN: 172.20.0.2/30
WIFI: 172.20.126.2/28

Default Route: 172.20.126.1

Would this be the best way (and a heavy routing system) or should I rather bridge the WIFI and LAN port on the Linksys?

Thanks

PMB WiFi Mesh

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