"trip the loop, make your switch, consume the net"

The following sections express the foundation and aspiration for CONSUME

#aims
#General FAQ
#pilot
#folk
#nodes
#services
#slogans
#peering
#benefits
#technologies
#finance
#gui
#core kit
#legal
#mailing lists
#press
#software
#meetings
#cvs repositories

The current activities of those involved have fallen into 4 areas (not mutually exclusive) These are:

1. Peering and license development - defining relationships and developing the legal framework.
2. Routing and network design - developing router solutions and software installations.
3. Rooftop to Desktop - installation and optimisation of network nodes, antennas, cables and CPU's.
4. Resources - mailing lists, web site, node database, communication and press,faqs etc.

each area has a co-ordinator assigned to it as the first point of contact for respective enquiries.

#aims

The aims of consume.net are;

define a sustainable network strategy

utilise low cost and existing networks
impliment wireless LAN technology
optimise infrastructual expenditure
reduce network connectivity costs
increase network speed
re-distribute access
promote common ownership
increase resilliance
aggregate avaliable 'internet' bandwidth
develop top level peering status
and of course
have more fun

#pilot

The pilot location will be used to test these assumptions and others to arrive at a sustainable network model.

1. assume persistent connections at each node
2. there is spare capacity at each connection and this can be offered to the network
4. all interconnects are 2 way
5. the 'quality of service' on offer can be controlled to suit each node requirement
6. the minimum speed available to a connection owner is the speed of the line they own.
7. it is in the interest of a node owner to interconnect as fast as possible
8. it is in the benefit of the entire network for nodes to be added.

#orgs

So many new groups have joined the CONSUME mailing lists this list is perpetually out of date.. however we will soon present a dynamic schedule of participants... here

#folk

The list of individuals who are engaged in the project or have requested information will soon be presented here. Please get in contact with a co-ordinator

want to read around us try these

hyperlinktech
seattlewireless
electrosmog
freenetworks.org

#nodes

Favorite NODE locations so far are buildings which have power and access to mounting point for antennas such as a roof or tower with 'line of sight and proximity to other nodes. Persistant/regular internet connections are desireable but not compulsary.

#services

We hope to attain network speeds comparable with 10baseT eternet so far as it is possible Part of its remit is to provide a space for contributors to experiment with high speed or broadband applications without the prohibitive costs normally associated. This utilisation will attract attention and draw in wider participation. Our network content will attract interest from outside CONSUME which we hope will open the oppertunity to request reciprical access and wholesale internet connection.

#slogans

"trip the loop, make the switch, consume the net" Pico Peering wave to each other...

#peering

The term 'peering' describes the arrangement between large network providers to mediate traffic across their networks. CONSUME recomends the adoption of a peering agreeement appropriate to an individuals scale of exchange and collaboration. This peering agreement will articulate the terms by which data exchange be permitted between nodes.

The agreement may have 2 parts. The first will define how CONSUME nodes peer with each other and the second specifies how CONSUME peers with other networks. The general assumption is that at the edge of CONSUME the peering agreements hold and data will flow freely.

#benefits

access to mixed media content, aggregation of spare bandwidth, local high speed networking, accumulation of bargaining power, short circuiting the local loop, reducing the cost of internet connection,

#technologies

#wireless ethernet

Wireless LAN conforming to the 802.11 standards is a specially licensed slice of radio frequency and signal processing technology which enables transfer speeds upward of 2 mbps using a standard PCMCIA adapter. It can be thought of as the networking equivalent of CB radio channel. The products are low cost, standardised and actually play to some of ethernets stronger points (ethernet was origninally developed as a wireless broadcast medium). Most activity is in the 2.4 Ghz radio waveband for which many manufactures are producing a variety of equipment.

Much work has already been done to set standards and develop mesh networking and IP standards. In recent years there has been much activity and a wireless ISP and networking industry has grown quickly and as a result, solutions are in the public domain.

These technologies are compatible with a broad base of available computing equipment. Your aged desktop Computer can have a new lease of life and use as node interface.

There is strong prospect for integration with open source software and OS, some examples of which will provide the first homegrown ACCES POINT solutions. The relatively low node costs involved (Avearage £500 per node) makes it ideal as the base for development and equipment is widely available and with additional discount for CONSUME.

#router

Each node comprises of a dedicated PC running CONSUME routing software and some edge serving technology freenet or like. It will host the node website and syncronize with its peers to optimise data transfer and upholds the form and conditions for participation (npl). It will also contain tools with which to control the balance of local and CONSUME use of any interconnect, the "Quality of Service" on offer.

The first version of the software described is now available for downlaod and testing. (FreeBDS only) We intend to build floppy disc based router installations for each popular OS.

#free space laser

This is a new wireless eyesafe high speed networking technology. Data is transmitted over point to point infra red laser at very high speeds (622Mbit and 1 Gbit) Older versions of this were very expensive and prone to misallignements, pigeons etc. New technologies mount several autosensing units which train themseleves on neighbouring installations to form a high speed mesh of connections at very high speeds - short hops. We are hoping to attract support to encourage these manufactures to go ahead and install these componants into CONSUME forming substantial high speed backbone links.

#lans and other networks

Donate your LAN or other fixed network to CONSUME. Bandwidth doesn't have to be wireless. A slong as it provides a route from one location to another and extends the network then it is valuable. Any length of category 5(copper) through a wall is a cheaper bandwith solution than a wireless terminal. Agregating connections through a building means that you increase your bandwidth and reduce your costs.

#ipv6

Give every device on the network its own address. ipv6 also has advantages in terms of security and mobility. The utilisation of ipv6 will allow the network to have a fair chance at populating the new address space and give the network a technological superiorty to the existing network. It will also encourage other networks to join the network as a possible upgrade path from ip4 to ip6.

#finance

#node based (individual node financing)

the core of the network is its users nodes. These finance their own nodes thus making their local bandwidth increase and sharing resources with CONSUME.

#sponsored

There is a good prospect for sponsorship from entities and individuals who wish to associate with CONSUME. Many will be intrigued by broadband data exchange in terms of gaming wares and AV Media.

#service funded

It is in the interests of service providers who wish to sell services or bandwidth to people on the network to increase the speed of access to them through the network. This is done by them making infrastructure investments into the network surrounding them. Initially these may be isps (band x) or other network services such as satellite providers (gloebcast) etc.

#public bodies funded

Low infrastructural costs and flexible installations appeal to local authorities and grass root organisations. Local Councils in many cites and in rural locations have access to government and european funding to develop public access solutions. Each could find a collaboration or integration on CONSUME benifit everyone concerned.

#gui

Whilst initial emphasis has been placed on development of appropriate software routing solutions there are associated network oriented projects in progress to map the network and research new interface paradigm for broadband network applications. Most apealing so far is a GL based stalker like network mapping tool (similar to iods "into the web"/stalker) coupled with a media interface.

#core kit

WiFi pcmcia card £85, PCI-ISA PCMCIA Bridge £50, Lightning protector £100, antennas £150, cable £60

installation

3 amp power supply, OS of your choice, Pentium computer 100mhz and up, ethernet NIC, 16mb ram cat5 network cabling

rooftop or near line of sight to nearby node locations

#legal

develop a network public license that creates a single node personal isp. This will set the rules by which nodes connect. Nodes that use services that lie under the npl will mediate their interconnection through the npl. It is enforced by the routing software.

#press

Yes well we have had some...press if you see any more cut it out scan it... let us know please.