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News :: UCIMC : Urban Development |
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CUWiN Announces Public Release of Free Open Source Wireless Networking Software: |
Current rating: 0 |
by Sascha Meinrath
Email: sascha (nospam) ucimc.org (unverified!)
Phone: (217)278-3933 |
02 Feb 2005
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Imagine a free wireless networking system that any municipality, company, or group of neighbors could easily set up themselves. Over the past half-decade, the Champaign-Urbana Community Wireless Network (CUWiN) has been developing an open source, turnkey wireless networking solution that exceeds the functionality of many proprietary systems. CUWiN's vision is ubiquitous, extremely high-speed, low-cost networking for every community and constituency. Following in the footsteps of Linux and Firefox, CUWiN has focused on creating a low-cost, non-proprietary, user-friendly system. CUWiN's
software will share connectivity across the network, allowing users to buy bandwidth in bulk and benefit from the cost savings. CUWiN networks are self-configuring and self-healing -- so adding new wireless nodes is hassle-free, and the system automatically adapts to the loss of an existing node. And, because CUWiN networks are completely ad-hoc, there's no need for expensive central servers or specialized administration equipment. |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 2, 2005
PRESS CONTACT:
Sascha Meinrath
(217)278-3933
sascha (at) cuwireless.net
CUWiN Website: http://www.cuwireless.net
CUWiN ANNOUNCES PUBLIC RELEASE OF FREE OPEN SOURCE WIRELESS NETWORKING SOFTWARE:
Imagine a free wireless networking system that any municipality, company, or group of neighbors could easily set up themselves. Over the past half-decade, the Champaign-Urbana Community Wireless Network (CUWiN) has been developing an open source, turnkey wireless networking solution that exceeds the functionality of many proprietary systems. CUWiN's vision is ubiquitous, extremely high-speed, low-cost networking for every community and constituency. Following in the footsteps of Linux and Firefox, CUWiN has focused on creating a low-cost, non-proprietary, user-friendly system. CUWiN's software will share connectivity across the network, allowing users to buy bandwidth in bulk and benefit from the cost savings. CUWiN networks are self-configuring and self-healing -- so adding new wireless nodes is hassle-free, and the system automatically adapts to the loss of an existing node. And, because CUWiN networks are completely ad-hoc, there's no need for expensive central servers or specialized administration equipment.
To set up a network, all end-users need to do is burn a CD with CUWiN's software (which will be available for free at http://www.cuwireless.net), put the CD into an old desktop computer equipped with a supported wireless card, and turn the computer on. Once the computer boots from the CD, the rest of the setup is completely automated: from loading the networking operating system and software, sending out beacons to nearby nodes, negotiating network connectivity, and assimilating into the network -- all the complicated technical setup is taken care of automatically. Unlike most broadband systems, CUWiN's software builds a local intranet as well as providing for Internet-connectivity -- thus, a town that uses CUWiN's system is also creating a community-wide local area network over which streaming audio and video, voice services, etc. can all be sent.
CUWiN is a cutting edge research and development initiative. CUWiN has pioneered the first open source implementation of Hazy Sighted Link State routing protocol (first developed by BBN Technologies); thus CUWiN's software creates a highly robust, scalable ad-hoc wireless networks. CUWiN's route prioritization metric is based on research conducted at MIT and will automatically adapt to any network topology and local geography.
CUWiN's software is, and always will be, available for free. CUWiN is a non-profit organization supported by grants and donations. CUWiN's software provides one of the world's most advanced networking solutions available today; and we are now making our software available to the general public to use, test, and help develop. We know that there are features and improvements that people will want to see in future releases -- as an open source project, we are counting on the feedback and input from people around the globe.
More information on setting up your own CUWiN network is available online now at: http://www.cuwireless.net/documentation
The latest version (0.5.5) of the CUWiN software will be available for public download by the end of the week at: http://www.cuwireless.net/downloads
A brief article on the background, history, and ethos of the CUWiN project is available at: www.comtechreview.org/article.php?article_id=259
***
About CUWiN:
The Champaign-Urbana Community Wireless Network (CUWiN) has built a communications system using wireless networking equipment. This is essentially the same "WiFi" equipment used in homes and offices, but we put it on rooftops to connect neighbors and form a high-speed community network.
CUWiN's three-part mission is to: connect more people to Internet and broadband services; develop open-source hardware and software for use by wireless projects world-wide; and, build and support community-owned, not-for-profit broadband networks in cities and towns around the globe.
CUWiN gives communities a new choice for their communications infrastructure by building a house-to-house wireless "mesh." CUWiN makes it possible for neighbors to share broadband Internet access and services including Voice over IP as an alternative to traditional phone service, and alternatives to radio and cable -- such as live broadcasts from grassroots media-makers from Independent Media Centers and "Internet radio stations" in subscribers' homes.
OJC Technologies (http://www.ojctech.com) is our development home. |
This work is in the public domain. |
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Re: CUWiN Announces Public Release of Free Open Source Wireless Networking Software: |
by Joe Futrelle
futrelle (nospam) shout.net (verified) |
Current rating: 0
03 Feb 2005
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This is just the coolest damn thing ever. |
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Re: CUWiN Announces Public Release of Free Open Source Wireless Networking Software: |
by glenn brown
odin <ebony (nospam) yahoo> (unverified) |
Current rating: 0
03 Feb 2005
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send me info on this through snail mail sorry my printer is down want a paper copy of this
thanks |
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Re: CUWiN Announces Public Release of Free Open Source Wireless Networking Software: |
by Stuart Levy
slevy (nospam) new.math.uiuc.edu (verified) |
Current rating: 0
06 Feb 2005
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Been hearing about this project for a while --
congratulations on its release!
Meanwhile the telecom industry is working to spread FUD:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/02/04/city_wifi_access_schemes/
There's some pretty funny stuff in this report, including:
"There is no market failure in broadband, and entry
by municipal Wi-Fi providers will not create greater
competition -- in fact, the Wi-Fi market is already
very competitive, with service offerings from large
and small providers alike." |
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Re: CUWiN Announces Public Release of Free Open Source Wireless Networking Software: |
by uh-nawn
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
08 Feb 2005
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Congratulations! And I second what Joe wrote. |
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Re: CUWiN Announces Public Release of Free Open Source Wireless Networking Software: |
by Windy City Wireless
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
09 Feb 2005
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How many houses in Urbana currently are served by CUWiN? How big is the area? Which parts of the city? How many nodes are installed in Urbana? |
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Re: CUWiN Announces Public Release of Free Open Source Wireless Networking Software: |
by Windy City Wireless
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
10 Feb 2005
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I see from the comtechreview article referenced in the parent article that Urbana currently has 18 nodes and CUWiN is scheduled to build out 32 early this year and the city is funding 25 more nodes. Still trying to find out where these are located? The map in the parent article shows a few but where are the rest?
"As of this writing, CUWiN has grown to over 175 members and a test-bed network of three wireless "clouds" serving over twenty different locations: the first cloud had nine nodes, is roughly oval shaped, and spans a half-kilometer area; the second is composed of four nodes in a roughly triangular shape spanning several hundred meters; the third cloud is composed of five nodes spanning several city blocks. Within the local community there is a sizable waiting list to join CUWiN, and we are currently scheduled to build out a minimum of 32 nodes by early 2005. In addition, the City of Urbana recently allocated funding to build an additional 25 nodes in the downtown area. CUWiN is currently adding one node approximately every week; eventually, as isolated wireless areas grow, distinct clouds will merge to create a single trans-neighborhood, interconnected wireless area. " |
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Map Needs Updating, Wanna Help? |
by regular reader
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
10 Feb 2005
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The best place to ask questions is on the CU Wireless email lists. Here's a link to them:
http://www.cuwireless.net/mailing-lists.html
I know, since I'm a node host, that the map is out of date. I live east of Lincoln Square and know that there is at least one more node besides mine in this area.
Updating the node map is kind of far down the priority list, as they asked for volunteers to work on that awhile back. I'm certain they would gladly accept volunteer help to do this and other things that they haven't had a chance to get to recently. The group has been working feverishly on getting the new software release out, so their efforts have been concentrated there. They are now concentrating on the minor bugs that always accompany such an event in experimental effeorts such as this.
This spring will see many new nodes going into operation as the weather improves enough to get back on the roof. My guess is that they will update the node map then, as this significant expansion of the network is accomplished, since the nodes so far are simply acting as testbeds for earlier versions of the software.
As for the city-sponsored nodes, they are slated primarily for coverage in the downtown area to serve the businesses located there (such as the Farmer's Market that operates in warmer weather) and their customers. The other nodes will probably expand the network from there in various directions.
I hope this gives you the rough info you are looking for. As I noted, joining the email list will get you all the info you need, either from the archives or by asking your question there. |
