eddy
12-27-2002, 06:21 PM
Hello Folks! I have read through this forum for some time now, but just decided to register and ask my first (perhaps off the wall) question. I have been researching the feasibility of installing a community wireless network for our broadband deprived town.
I am working with a few people to start a wireless network in my community. We have several issues at hand as I will explain later in hopes some of you experts can shed some light on them. Our goal is to provide highspeed Internet and local filesharing to our community that currently lacks highspeed Internet connectivity options. In fact, our town of 700 people, 15 miles from Topeka, KS will likely not see wire-based broadband access in the near future, if ever. We want to control access in some fashion (prevent freeloaders) since we will be charging dues to pay for the operating costs. This is not a for profit venture but it needs to be self-sustaining. We will be working on severely limited funds. Our initial investment likely could not exceed $3,500 (ouch, I know that makes it tough).
- We would likely have to link via wireless P2P connection to Topeka, KS where our highspeed Internet Connection would be available. I highly doubt that we could afford the monthly costs of a T1 out here. We do have reasonably unobstructed LOS to Topeka, but we are also dealing with fresnel isssues at 15-20 miles to this potential uplink. Would this make our dream cost prohibited?
- We would likely have a member base of 30-50 people. Is that enough people to support such an endeavor?
- If possible, we would like to avoid being locked into a central AP, but rather expand the network by way of adding new users (peer to peer). Is that even possible? Can a client also be an AP in a sense? In other words, if we add a new user on the edge of our current coverage area can that effectively increase our total coverage area? Can a person connect to the Internet through a series of peer to peer connections? For instance A --> B --> C --> Distribution Point --> Topeka, KS Internet Connection? This isn't a requirement but if possible seems less expensive... perhaps I'm out of my mind though.
- If the bandwidth needs ever outgrew our Internet connection, could we simply add another connection to the existing one and somehow bond them using MP or something similar?
I know some of these questions are probably rediculous to even ask. I hope you don't mind me posting such newbie questions. However, any input would be warmly welcomed. :)
If you think this is just a complete waste of time, I would honestly appreciate hearing that too. There are a lot of reasons why the 3 of us are so interested in such a project. (1) It would provide our local businesses with something they badly need (2) It would provide our youth with a research tool they are badly in need of (3) It would be an additional selling point for new families looking at moving to our town (4) It could potentially attract new businesses to the area.
Hoping for comments.... good or bad. :)
-eddy
I am working with a few people to start a wireless network in my community. We have several issues at hand as I will explain later in hopes some of you experts can shed some light on them. Our goal is to provide highspeed Internet and local filesharing to our community that currently lacks highspeed Internet connectivity options. In fact, our town of 700 people, 15 miles from Topeka, KS will likely not see wire-based broadband access in the near future, if ever. We want to control access in some fashion (prevent freeloaders) since we will be charging dues to pay for the operating costs. This is not a for profit venture but it needs to be self-sustaining. We will be working on severely limited funds. Our initial investment likely could not exceed $3,500 (ouch, I know that makes it tough).
- We would likely have to link via wireless P2P connection to Topeka, KS where our highspeed Internet Connection would be available. I highly doubt that we could afford the monthly costs of a T1 out here. We do have reasonably unobstructed LOS to Topeka, but we are also dealing with fresnel isssues at 15-20 miles to this potential uplink. Would this make our dream cost prohibited?
- We would likely have a member base of 30-50 people. Is that enough people to support such an endeavor?
- If possible, we would like to avoid being locked into a central AP, but rather expand the network by way of adding new users (peer to peer). Is that even possible? Can a client also be an AP in a sense? In other words, if we add a new user on the edge of our current coverage area can that effectively increase our total coverage area? Can a person connect to the Internet through a series of peer to peer connections? For instance A --> B --> C --> Distribution Point --> Topeka, KS Internet Connection? This isn't a requirement but if possible seems less expensive... perhaps I'm out of my mind though.
- If the bandwidth needs ever outgrew our Internet connection, could we simply add another connection to the existing one and somehow bond them using MP or something similar?
I know some of these questions are probably rediculous to even ask. I hope you don't mind me posting such newbie questions. However, any input would be warmly welcomed. :)
If you think this is just a complete waste of time, I would honestly appreciate hearing that too. There are a lot of reasons why the 3 of us are so interested in such a project. (1) It would provide our local businesses with something they badly need (2) It would provide our youth with a research tool they are badly in need of (3) It would be an additional selling point for new families looking at moving to our town (4) It could potentially attract new businesses to the area.
Hoping for comments.... good or bad. :)
-eddy