[Chapter-delegates] Broadband Hamnet

[Glenn McKnight]

Hi  ISOC  Delegates

I have been working with the  LOCAL HAM  radio people and we plan on
deploying a MESH  NETWORK

Has  anyone  used  Broadband  Hamnet?

 http://www.broadband-hamnet.org/just-starting-read-this.html

Background
Broadband-Hamnet™ and may be wondering what is going on. Broadband-Hamnet™
is *the self configuring ham network*. It is time to have our own
Broadband-Hamnet. Hams have transferred IP data by radio for ages. This
network is FAST!

Lets start with some basic concepts. We will be expanding this page so
check back from time to time.

   - *Broadband-Hamnet™ **is a network, it is not application software.* It
   is a special firmware build that transforms consumer wireless gear to a
   specialized ham radio function. It can use application software to
   transport your data from place to place, but you must provide the
   application software just like you do at your home or office.
   - *A Mesh network is a highway over which data travels.* Turning on two
   mesh nodes loaded with our firmware creates a data network. This highway
   carries your cargo (data), and allows your local computer to use
   information or applications stored in other locations
   - Mesh nodes were originally consumer wireless routers but changed
   function when the firmware was changed
   - After conversion, the WAN, LAN and Wi-Fi ports are linked using
   special rules and no longer operate like a normal wireless router. Some
   devices like Ubiquiti Bullet have only a single network connection. Others
   like the WRT54x series have multiple LAN jacks and the .Internet jack. All
   have the RF (WiFi) antenna and signal.
   - Mesh nodes are self discovering, self configuring, self advertising
   and fault tolerant
   - Mesh nodes are a data network without the wires. Most tasks that you
   can do over a wired or wireless network at your home or office will work on
   a mesh node
   - Mesh nodes are small, portable, low-power and inexpensive. They are
   easily battery powered
   - Mesh nodes can easily have a range of *10 miles or more using stock
   power *and gain antennas if you have true line of sight
   - Mesh nodes communicate with other nodes over Wi-Fi frequencies and
*only talk to other mesh nodes on the wireless port *
   - You can't use Wi-Fi to connect to a mesh node from your computer,
   netbook, smart phone or other wireless device.
   - It is possible to extend a mesh network with a properly restricted
   access point (AP) where only hams are given access
   - Computers connect to mesh nodes with an Ethernet cable and control
   them using a web browser
   - You can access the control screen on your own mesh node and easily
   jump to any other mesh node with a click or two
   - The web address of your mesh node is *http://localnode:8080
   <http://localnode:8080>*
   - From the mesh status screen, you can jump to any other member mesh
   node to use its services, configure it, install or update software or view
   the other direct neighbor nodes that can be seen by that mesh node
   - Mesh nodes use peer to peer connections. This means each node connect
   to all others it can directly reach.
   This is different than the star configuration where wireless users
   connect to an access point
   - *Peer to peer connections share the same SSID* (network name) That
   name is BroadbandHamnet-v1
   - If you change the SSID, spell it wrong or change the punctuation, the
   mesh is broken. It must be exactly the same for all nodes.
   - As later versions of the firmware are developed, the need to change
   data formats may arise. At that time, the SSID will change, forming a new
   mesh network with the updated firmware.
   - *Do NOT* change the SSID unless you are an expert and understand that
   you will be creating an entirely different mesh network when you do so
   - Each mesh node must have a unique node name. Normally this is your
   callsign with a suffix (w1aw-1, w1aw-2, w1aw-mobile...)
   - The SSID is the network name seen over Wi-Fi and is the same for all
   mesh members, the Node name is what you named the device (your callsign +
   suffix)
   - Mesh nodes operate on channel 1. Channels 1-6 of the 802.11B/G
   wireless band are completely within the 2.4ghz ham band. As support for
   additional ham bands is developed, different channels will apply in that
   band.
   - Mesh nodes on channels 1-6 use FCC part 97 rules instead of part 15.
   This allows big antennas, more power, other changes
   - Mesh nodes talk to other nodes using RF (Wi-Fi), to the Internet over
   the WAN port and to computers, servers, video cameras and other devices
   using the LAN ports
   - Mesh nodes will create a network just by turning several of them on.
   They create portable, high-speed data networks in minutes
   - Mesh nodes don't need any computer to be attached to pass data to
   other mesh nodes. Just plug one in, it will expand the mesh
   - You don't need to physically attach to a given mesh node to make
   changes to it. You may "remote in" to configure it from anywhere on the
   mesh network
   - Data is data. It can be IP Video, VOIP, LAN traffic between computers,
   web browser reading an situation briefing web page, downloading operating
   software or a radio manual by FTP, printing out something on a remote
   printer, keyboard chat, hop to the Internet, etc
   - IP addresses exist but you interact with mesh nodes by using the node
   name. The names can be tactical but your ham call is still sent out
   frequently as a beacon packet
   - Any mesh node within wireless range automatically joins the existing
   mesh and exchanges available routes with all others
   - If one mesh node has Internet access or contains a NTP (network time
   protocol) server, all mesh nodes will get a correct date/time in their
   display
   - As signals grow stronger and fade, nodes join and leave the mesh. It
   can happen many times as you drive around
   - Your path between any two mesh nodes may be single or multiple hop and
   can/will change with no notice or impact to you. The data flows where it
   needs to flow because of the automatic routing delivered by OLSR
   - A single node joining your mesh may add many other nodes if it can see
   other mesh nodes the first group can't reach. It does so by becoming a
   bridge to join the two separate groups of mesh nodes.
   - Mesh node owners from different parts of the country will join any
   existing mesh just by coming within range if it
   - Using a standard software load, one shared SSID and one operating
   frequency on all nodes means that any two hams, never having met each other
   and unaware of the other's presence can form a mesh network just by being
   in range of each other. Later, additional hams join the network (and
   perhaps bring additional network resources or advertised services) by
   turning on their devices within range of the first group
   - Doman Name Service (DNS) is automatically provided to all mesh
   members, allowing them to see/interact with other mesh nodes
   - After initial conversion and setting the node name and password, no
   further changes are needed to connect with other nodes and no configuration
   or adjustments are needed for the mesh to continue to run. User may join or
   leave, advertised services can appear or be turned off, and all users take
   advantage of any network resource.
   - Computer resources on your mesh node can be shared with others on the
   mesh. These are *Advertised Services*
   - Your mesh node can see and use advertised services on other nodes by
   just clicking on them in your web browser
   - If one mesh node has it's WAN port plugged into an Internet feed, and
   a config change, it can provide Internet to all mesh members but you are
   always responsible for all traffic remaining part 97 compliant.
   - Firmware upgrades and patching are done from an internal menu
   (Internet or local copy of the firmware upgrade is required)
   - Mesh nodes can be remotely managed and the firmware or patch level
   upgraded by any user with the password for that node
   - Users on other parts of the mesh may view other mesh node status
   screens and even wireless devices visible to that specific node
   - Mesh nodes have several modes of operation and the same device can be
   configured to change roles as you dictate
   - Having spare mesh nodes means you can deploy them for each of several
   roles, such as putting up a local AP for served agencies
   - Several mesh nodes + one experienced ham operator = a portable, quick
   deployment, swiss army knife of network services
   - *Microwaves are different than UHF/VHF/HF*  Antennas always get you
   more than amplifiers. When a repeater is all mouth and no ears it is called
   an "alligator". When you increase transmit power on a mesh node, you can't
   get the same help hearing the incoming signals. Directional antennas narrow
   the beamwidth to boost signals on axis while concurrently rejecting
   unwanted signals and noise off axis. No amplifier can do this.
   - Any increase in power also causes serious safety concerns and raises
   the noise level for all users. The control operator is always responsible
   for compliance with *FCC OET Bulletin 65* regarding RF exposure.
   - Add quality directional antennas on both ends and ensure you have a
   true line of sight path with a clear Fresnel zone before considering any
   amplifier. See other sections on this web site for RF Safety and Noise
   Level information.


Glenn McKnight
mcknight.glenn at gmail.com
skype  gmcknight
twitter gmcknight
.
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