Building Wireless Community Networks Rob Flickenger
Building Wireless Community Networks offers a compelling case for building wireless networks on a local level: They are inexpensive, and they can be implemented and managed by the community using them, whether it's a school, a neighborhood, or a small business. This book provides all the necessary information for planning a network, getting all the necessary components, and understanding protocols that you need to design and implement your network.
TABLE OF CONTENTSPreface....................................................................................................................................4 Audience .............................................................................................................................4 Organization........................................................................................................................4 Typographical Conventions ................................................................................................5 Acknowledgments...............................................................................................................6
Chapter 1. Wireless Community Networks........................................................................7
1.1 The Problem..................................................................................................................8
1.2 How ISPs Are Attempting a Solution...........................................................................9
1.3 How Cooperatives Are Making It Happen .................................................................10
1.4 About This Book.........................................................................................................11
Chapter 2. Defining Project Scope ....................................................................................12
2.1 Hardware Requirements..............................................................................................13
2.2 Hot Spots.....................................................................................................................14
2.3 Potential Coverage Problem Areas .............................................................................15
2.4 Topographical Mapping 101.......................................................................................16
Chapter 3. Network Layout ...............................................................................................17
3.1 Wireless Infrastructure: Cathedral Versus Bazaar......................................................17
3.2 Vital Services ..............................................................................................................20
3.3 Security Considerations ..............................................................................................24
3.4 Summary .....................................................................................................................28
Chapter 4. Using Access Points..........................................................................................28
4.1 Access Point Caveats ..................................................................................................30
4.2 The Apple AirPort Base Station .................................................................................31
Chapter 6. Wide Area Network Saturation......................................................................50
6.1 Topo Maps 102: Dealing with Geographical Diversity..............................................51
6.2 Antenna Characteristics and Placement......................................................................54
6.3 Power Amps and the Law ...........................................................................................66
Chapter 7. Other Applications...........................................................................................67
7.1 Point-to-Point Links....................................................................................................68
7.2 The Pringles Can.........................................................................................................69
7.3 Redundant Links .........................................................................................................74
7.4 Repeaters.....................................................................................................................75
7.5 Security Concerns .......................................................................................................78
7.6 Captive "Catch and Release" Portal............................................................................79
7.7 In Closing....................................................................................................................82
Chapter 8. Radio Free Planet ............................................................................................82
8.1 Seattle Wireless...........................................................................................................83
8.2 BAWUG......................................................................................................................83
8.3 Personal Telco.............................................................................................................84
8.4 NYC Wireless .............................................................................................................84
8.5 GBPPR ........................................................................................................................84
8.6 GAWD ........................................................................................................................85
8.7 Guerrilla.net ................................................................................................................85
8.8 Universal Wireless ......................................................................................................85
Appendix ..............................................................................................................................91 A.1 Path Loss Calculations ...............................................................................................91 A.2 Links to Community Wireless Sites ..........................................................................92 A.3 FCC Part 15 Rules......................................................................................................92 A.4 Simple Scheme Management.....................................................................................96
Colophon ..............................................................................................................................97