Combining satellite with 802.11

Currently I'm running a pilot using satellite as the back haul for a videoconferencing set up. At the 4 sites I am testing data redistribution using Dlink DWL 6000AP's, with the idea that satellite/wireless/VC will become the model for 27 other sites (mainly in rural areas). Though I have a very good handle on the satellite part I am only just starting to think through the wireless component. We are expecting our system to be the only high speed network around for many of these sites so there is interest in it becoming a community network. Any pointers on approach for building and supporting community networks? And yes I am a newbe from Kapiti/Wellington.

thanks
kat :wink:

How far north into Kapiti are you?

Paraparaumu would be fairly easy - Mary would be a great starting point, and there's plenty of largish buildings out towards the beach...

Anyway, if you want to provide services to end users you're going to have to sway from the standard "hack it together" process taken by many community networks.

Plan from the ground up, follow good network (and overall) engineering practices. In a networking sense you want to factor in Reliability through redundancy and scalability (aka futureproofing). This isnt too hard, just use OSPF or a similar routing protocol, and select your technologies right.
For example we're looking at using .a for our backbones for the simple reasoning that not everyone has .a gear so security breaches will be minimised (security through obscurity), and it's in a less crowded slice of spectrum than .b or .g

Then because you will be dealing with end users you might want to consider factoring in Authentication and security. This can be easily (well.. easier said than done) done through the use of VPN's, RADIUS and 802.1x Rate limiting can also be done at the authentication level.

Make sure you run through every "what if?" situation, and DOCUMENT IT.

eg: "What if site B goes down?"
"Site B only has 2 users so it can be resolved on best efforts within 2 days"

By asking yourself a bunch of questions, you get to know your network better, and you begin to prepare for every situation. Documenting it helps in the instance that you handover your role to someone else or require assistance from others.

Stick to one set of hardware for all your sites and keep some "hot spares" available to make maintenance that much easier.

If you have some more specific questions, fire away.

The first step really is to get a topographical map, and then pinpoint each site and start drawing lines to link them up. Then go to each site and make sure that they can easily see one another (take binocs or a telescope)

You can start with topographical photos here:
http://www.linz.govt.nz/rcs/linz/pub/web/r...exmap/index.jsp

Unfortunately it appears that the index is borked, so you might have to try in a couple of days or something... Or who knows.. it might just work for you...

Thank you for this. I'll use your advice for documenting our install and management of our pilot network. We will be setting up a site in Otaki around our Wananga campus. My 3 pilot sites are in Levin, Marton and Porirua. We are using satellite to provide our back haul and wireless to distribute. Our main application is videoconferencing for education. We have the satellite working and just need to lock down how we distribute to our communities. This site is helping. Do you do any consulting?

na
Graeme

Levin eh... guess what my hometown is

I've been thinking of doing some wireless work there in conjunction with the council, I think Trig would be some prime real estate but a tower would have to be constructed to overcome the wee issue of the blimmin pine trees growing there.

Following trig comes the Clock tower, Horowhenua College and the hill on the other side of Lake Horowhenua. Because Levin is fairly flat, designing something will be fairly easy. It's getting out to the satellites such as Ohau, Hokio, Koputaroa and even further to Waitarere, Kuku, Waikawa and Manakau that provides the challenge.

Come to think of it you could have one major trunk line running up the coast from small beach settlement to small beach settlement, from Kapiti all the way to Waitarere or even further to the next beach (himatangi?, that's getting close to Palmy anyway).. you could potentially effectively tie up the broadband market for those sites.

Link inland at regular intervals and you've got yourself a redundant network. You could use the Satt connection in tandem to provide a further level of redundancy. The Central plateau will tremble at your might!

Consulting.. sure can if it fits in with my schedule..