Open Source Solutions for Small Business Problems
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Open-Source Mesh Networks
Submitted by John Locke on Fri, 02/04/2005 - 03:45
In this chapter of the book, I wrote about Mesh Networking as being the cutting edge of wide area networks. At that writing, there were a couple of proprietary mesh networking systems in place, one consisting of wireless lamp-posts in the UK.
Now the Champaign-Urbana Community Wireless Network has released an open source mesh networking distribution, that automatically configures nodes, routes traffic, and provides reliable networking without needing an Internet connection.
From the FAQ:
The service CU-Wireless nodes provide is like DSL or cable modem. There is an ethernet jack on the wireless node and your home computer plugs into that. The wireless network up on the rooftops serves a similar purpose as the telephone company's wires and poles: it connects your node to the Internet, but without any nasty wires between the nodes!
The wireless nodes, unlike a cable or DSL modem, do double-duty: when you put a node at your house, you actually help to increase the capacity and reach of the network!
An important aspect of this network is that when you add your node to it, you become part-owner of the network. This is one of the reasons it is a community network.
Read more at Wi-Fi Networking News: CUWiN Goes Public with Open-Source Mesh System and the main web site for the project.
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