Community Wireless Network (CWN) hardware grants

These hardware will be distributed free of charge, to individuals or organizations for the advancement of any CWN. You can apply for this free hardware by writing a paragraph on the mailing list at talk@seattlewireless.net, in simple declarative sentences of what will be done, when you expect to do it, and how it will advance community networks!

DEFINITIONS

ADVANCEMENT

4 points - assembling hardware, installing or configuring software, erecting antennas, wiring, or R&D, testing or other technical activities which results in the operation of a CWN node, or

3 points - operating or maintaining a CWN node or ancillary services such as mapping, address resolution, routing support, Linux/BSD ISO or sources mirror, or storage for logs, intrusion detection, public file storage, log archive, etc.

2 points - swapping for something directly necessary for a CWN node, i.e. a 4GB SCSI drive has the same market value as a 802.11b card ($50) but is less relevant or useful, than a 802.11b card.

2 points - training people who have a specific lack any kind of skills necessary to implement or operate a CWN node, that results in them actually implementing a CWN node, this includes, basic linux skills ranging up to networking, radio topics, etc. or

1 point - door prizes /givaways for any CWN meeting e.g. SeattleWireless meeting or meeting of other organization that has a CWN presentation.

COMMUNITY WIRELESS NETWORK -CWN

Any network using any combination of standard 802.11b and 802.11a wireless access points and cards which spans at least two sites, connecting two independent parties.

"Two sites" means independent owners/tenants, not an arrangement on a premises controlled by the same party, AND at least 2 independent parties, for example, not a private arrangement between home and office of the same person.

A CWN is required to be accessible to the general public throughout its local segments, i.e. the arrangement cannot serve multiple parties privately thru WEP. The CWN may restrict access to network resources such as cross-town backbones, Internet gateways, authentication servers, etc., through a captive portal such as NoCAT. However the word CWN implies there is at least one local wireless segment which is open to the general public, and, free of charge.

DISTRIBUTION

Physical distribution will happen at the SeattleWireless meetings in order to reduce the burden of administering the hardware grants. If the applications exceed the limited hardware available, there will be decision on merits, by SeattleWireless mailing list. If a strong consensus does not appear, a coin will be tossed. If there are too few applicants the excess equipment will be doorprizes at SWN meetings.

Most stuff will be published on the Grant Hardware list for more than one month before giving away as door prizes.

Multiple people will administer the hardware grants. Whoever does the duties must be willing, at minimum, to bring the stuff to *the next meeting* of SeattleWireless. No crap may be donated. If you bring crap that cannot be given away (old monitors etc.) you must take it home after the meeting. Thanks to Lucas Forschler for the initial hardware grant:

Caveat: These parts are not exactly "the right stuff" for building community networks! One would not expect a perfect match between what is donated and what is necessary for a CWN.

Matt Westervelt's recommendation for a SeattleWireless Cx, Bx, etc. nodes is a computer in the house, and Power over Ethernet devices for inter-node links, for example on rooftops. IIIRC, these POE driven devices really need to be running linux or BSD to get sufficient control of the radios (eg. RG-1000 or Airport). Matt's strong recommendation, for "the computer" inside the house that does the routing, NoCat gateway, etc. is not a big box with hot noisy SCSI drives! It is a Soekris box or other small /light thing that doesn't make noise or take up room. http://www.seattlewireless.net/index.cgi/MattWesterveltCxNode?action=highlight&value=CategoryNode

You're maybe more likely to get new members on the network with small/lightweight devices. But any PC with multiple ethernet cards can fulfill this role. For example there are 100 million obsolete pentiums available, basically for free. And putting 4Gigs of storage every couple of blocks, on a wireless freenet creates excitement.

HardwareGrants (last edited 2008-04-13 16:34:40 by localhost)