c0rrupt
2008-09-13, 13:52
I wrote this up when my Internet was out (lol, nothing better to do). It seems possible. There is a group in Australia (http://www.air-stream.org.au/) doing something similar. Does anyone think something like this could ever take off on a wide scale?
WiFi Community Darknet
Due to ever increasing restrictions being imposed on the Internet and the possibly impending annihilation of net neutrality, it is becoming clear that if we want free (as in freedom, and possibly beer) computer networks we must take matters into our own hands. This is a proposal for a network of community run nodes, either public or private, linked together or hidden.
Technology
Regular consumer 802.11b/g/n routers should be sufficient. WiMax is a possibility once it becomes viable.
Alternate methods of linking could be used if needed (RONJA, etc).
No central AP (access point). Ad-hoc mesh networking for a decentralized network.
For private networks, WPA or WPA2 should be sufficient. For added security and privacy, administrators could use a private Tor or i2p network for anonymous services on top of the Darknet.
Services and Access
For access to the Internet, users could allow their personal net connection to be used. Running this through Tor would be strongly recommended.
Linking individual nodes together without WiFi (for distance limitations, etc) could be done over the Internet. Of course to keep things private and secure, using a VPN (secure, fast) or creating such connections over Tor or i2p (secure, slower) is recommended.
Private USENET, IRC, E-Mail, Jabber networks. Direct Connect and FTP are (among other things) possibilities for file sharing.
Public accessible and editable Wikis.
...and many more things...
Uses
In areas where Internet access is expensive or difficult to obtain, computer users would still be able to communicate with each other.
File sharing.
Accessing and exchanging censored materials (think Wiki leaks, information on Falun Gaung (sic), Tienanmen Square, etc).
WiFi Community Darknet
Due to ever increasing restrictions being imposed on the Internet and the possibly impending annihilation of net neutrality, it is becoming clear that if we want free (as in freedom, and possibly beer) computer networks we must take matters into our own hands. This is a proposal for a network of community run nodes, either public or private, linked together or hidden.
Technology
Regular consumer 802.11b/g/n routers should be sufficient. WiMax is a possibility once it becomes viable.
Alternate methods of linking could be used if needed (RONJA, etc).
No central AP (access point). Ad-hoc mesh networking for a decentralized network.
For private networks, WPA or WPA2 should be sufficient. For added security and privacy, administrators could use a private Tor or i2p network for anonymous services on top of the Darknet.
Services and Access
For access to the Internet, users could allow their personal net connection to be used. Running this through Tor would be strongly recommended.
Linking individual nodes together without WiFi (for distance limitations, etc) could be done over the Internet. Of course to keep things private and secure, using a VPN (secure, fast) or creating such connections over Tor or i2p (secure, slower) is recommended.
Private USENET, IRC, E-Mail, Jabber networks. Direct Connect and FTP are (among other things) possibilities for file sharing.
Public accessible and editable Wikis.
...and many more things...
Uses
In areas where Internet access is expensive or difficult to obtain, computer users would still be able to communicate with each other.
File sharing.
Accessing and exchanging censored materials (think Wiki leaks, information on Falun Gaung (sic), Tienanmen Square, etc).