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Table of Contents
Community Wireless Handbook..........................................................................................1
Credits..................................................................................................................................2
Introduction..........................................................................................................................5
What is this handbook about?.........................................................................................6
Sharing your experiences................................................................................................6
Future Versions...............................................................................................................6
What is a network?..........................................................................................................7
What is the Internet?.......................................................................................................8
What is a Community Wireless Network?......................................................................8
.........................................................................................................................................8
What is a Wireless network?...........................................................................................9
What are some scenarios a Wireless network would be used?.....................................10
What other (non-wireless) network technologies are available?...................................11
What are the pros and cons of Wireless versus other technologies?.............................12
What are the legal and regulatory implications of using Wireless?..............................13
Are there any health concerns related to using Wireless?.............................................14
We have a satellite up link to the Internet, isn't that a Wireless network?....................15
Anatomy of a Wireless Network........................................................................................16
How information becomes Wireless.............................................................................17
Servicing multiple subscribers......................................................................................18
Multiple Access points..................................................................................................19
Linking to a distant community....................................................................................20
Getting started....................................................................................................................21
Range testing and Line of Sight....................................................................................22
Test links that work, but not well..................................................................................24
Site Surveying....................................................................................................................26
Basic radio theory..............................................................................................................28
Example Calculations....................................................................................................34
Examples of common Wireless hardware..........................................................................36
WRAP...........................................................................................................................37
Senao ............................................................................................................................37
Soekris...........................................................................................................................38
Tranzeo..........................................................................................................................39
Using PC's, old and new................................................................................................40
Introduction
The use of high speed networks and Internet connections has exploded over the past
decade. As these communications networks become commonplace tools for conducting
business, delivering education, accessing government, and providing entertainment and
culture, many communities are concerned about falling behind if they can not provide
this technology to their citizens. Small and remote communities tend to lag behind the
major centrers because it is not as profitable for the major communication providers to
expand their network to these areas. This lack of access has become known as “the digital
divide” – the technology gap between communities with high speed communications
networks and those that do not. Many smaller communities have begun to take steps to
develop technology plans and to build broadband and Internet networks as community
projects, hoping to bridge the social and technology gaps themselves.
One network technology commonly used today for community networks is Wireless
broadband. Wireless technology uses radio waves to communicate digital information
and to provide Internet access to subscribers. The use of radio waves means that it is not
necessary to run wire, cable, or fibre optic lines to every home in the community, and
therefore networks can be implemented faster and potentially cheaper in small
communities and remote areas. A number of rural BC communities have successfully
used wireless technology to develop their community networks, so the First Nations
Technology Council (FNTC) has commissioned this handbook to help other small
communities to determine if a wireless network would be appropriate for their area, and
to provide a basic guide for getting started with wireless technology.
The goal for this handbook is to provide basic practical information so that every day
members of a community can setup and maintain a Community Wireless Network.
Although the information presented can also aid a commercial broadband network
operator to deploy a Wireless Internet Service, the target audience is volunteers and
members of the community at large who would like to participate in building a true,
Community Wireless Network.
Future Versions
This handbook is updated with new information and resources based on the experiences
of people in our communites. Future versions of this handbook will be released to
http://www.bcwireless.net/~matthewa/handbook/
If you are interested in tracking new releases of this handbook you can subscribe to our
handbook-announce mailing list. http://lists.bcwireless.net/mailman/admin/handbook-
announce
What is a network?
Networks are links that connect people, places and things together – the paths to allow
goods, information, or people to flow from one place to another. To allow this movement
from one place to another, a network must be addressable. This means that an item
travelling on the network must be able to specify a destination or recipients.
Using the example of a road network:
• Streets, Highways, alleys and roads are the network paths that material travels
over.
• Path names, streets, highway numbers specify the route to be taken.
• Addressing of objects on streets (such as your house address or a license plate
number on a car) allows movement to a specific place or person.
Computer networks also have these attributes. There can be many paths for information
to travel over and between networks, and most users and locations on a network have
routes and addresses such as those on a house. Unlike road networks which can move
tangible property such as food or people, computer networks do not yet have the ability to
move physical objects from one place or another, but computer networks can move
digital information very quickly, locally or around the world.
A computer network, sometimes called a data network, moves digital information (codes
and numbers) between computers (and other devices that can read computer information)
in one location to a computer or computers in other location(s). That other location could
be 2 feet away or 10,000 miles away.
Prior to the development of the Internet, if a company or an individual wanted to set up a
data network between two or more computers in different cities they would have to work
with the telephone company to connect each of the locations in the network. For a fee, the
telephone company would set up circuits to interconnect the locations. Those circuits
would be dedicated to your company – they formed a private network that no one else
could access.
The Internet was formed by a number of research establishments that wanted to share
information, but did not want to pay for a private network to connect each establishment
to every other establishment. The concept of a shared network between major centrers
funded by national organizations was introduced, and a common data format and a
common set of codes for addressing information was designed.
Wireless networks take many forms. VHF radio, FM/AM radio, Cellular Phones and CB
radios are all forms of Wireless technology but have very specific purposes (usually for
the purpose of communicating verbal information).
When we talk about Wireless networking we talk about a breed of technology that is able
to communicate data. Data can be voice, or Internet, or any other kind of computer
information. This kind of Wireless technology can be used to supplement or even replace
existing Wireless systems.
There are many Wireless technologies suitable for data networking. When the concept of
using radio signals to connect various computers in a building was introduced, the
Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) formed a committee to set the
standards for the technology. That committee was called the 802.11 committee, and the
various standards they developed are known as 802.11a, or 802.11b, or 802.11g, etc. This
group of 802.11 standards became known as “WiFi” technology. Because WiFi
technology quickly became popular, the cost of WiFi equipment has come down rapidly.
Many organizations and Wireless Internet Service providers have started with WiFi.
There are other standards and designs for wireless technologies as well. Many very high
speed or long range solutions are also available and because many use TCP/IP they are
easily integrated into existing networks but for our purposes we will be primarily
discussing WiFi.
Wireless network speeds does not (yet) fair Wireless network technology is rapidly
against the gigabit speeds achieved by maturing and new, open standards are
wired networks such as gigabit Ethernet or emerging that will provide speeds
Fibre. comparable to Fibre and other
infrastructures.
Many Wireless technologies are Wireless network technologies based on
proprietary, resulting in reliance on a 802.11 and 802.16 standards (ie: WiFi and
specific vendor and lack of clarity as to an WiMax) are not restricted to any one
upgrade path. vendor and can be deployed by anyone
with a basic understanding of the
technology.
Wireless networks are ideal for connecting
many people together without the
expensive of deploying cable and human
resources.
Wireless networks provide mobility and
access to information based on physical
proximity.
Once the radio signal leaves the transmitter's antenna, it travels through the air and is
picked up by receiving antennas. As the signal travels through the air, it loses its
strength, eventually losing enough power that it cannot be accurately received.
Your objective is to use a combination of antennas and transmitters to deliver enough
radio signal that a reliable wireless link is maintained.
These are just a few examples of common uses for Wireless networking. There are many
other things you can do as your network grows and faces new challenges.
Getting started..
The easiest way to plan a wireless network in your community is to dive straight into
testing it.
Obtain some test equipment so that you can set up a temporary network to measure
performance in your area and to try different locations in your community for access
points. By testing on a case-by-case basis, you can better understand how your local
environment will affect the performance of your wireless signal, with the added bonus of
gaining experience without annoying subscribers.
You don't need to spend a lot of money on expensive hardware. The purpose of testing is
to get an idea for how well a wireless signal will travel. There's no point spending $2000
on top of the line equipment when $700 will do.
Some equipment you'll need is:
• An access point (a low cost consumer access point such as a Linksys
WRT54G: $90 CAD will suffice)
• A portable computer such as a laptop or notebook PC ($1000-$1700) along
with a Wireless card (such as an SMC 2532W-B - ~$100).
• Various antennas to test with:
• 9-14 dB “Yagi” (one each, for the surveyor and access point): $95
each.
• 19 dBi “Wire Grid ” (for the access point): $95 each.
• 24 dBi “Wire Grid” (for the access point): $130 each.
• A GPS (global positioning unit) to determine your latitude, longitude and
estimated elevation: $200.
• A compass.
• Appropriate mounting equipment for the antenna, such as a tripod and 10 foot
metal pole.
• A pair of walkie-talkies with at least 3KM range: $70-$150.
This equipment will let you test the range of wireless networks and take accurate
geographical coordinates for mapping. The GPS is especially important since the latitude
and longitude can be used to calculate wireless network coverage using computer
software.
As each surveyor roams around the community taking signal measurements, they should
also try to write down where they are making the measurements from. A GPS will
provide accurate latitude and longitude coordinates which can later be used with
st
computer software, but even a written description (eg: 12 1 avenue) is fine. You will
want to make a map to visualize the effective coverage area of your network afterwards.
Wireless networks are “Line of Sight” (or LOS). They must have a good view of other
users to be effective. Terrain including hills, mountains, dense trees and buildings will
weaken a wireless signal. Rain and fog are generally not a problem. If you are standing
behind a wide oak tree, don't expect the signal to get through.
The surveyor will need software to display the strength of received signal from the base
station.
• Windows users can use a freeware program called Netstumbler from
www.netstumbler.com Windows XP is recommended, as is the use of an Orinoco or
Prism based wireless card such as the SMC 2532W-B available from London Drugs.
• Linux Users can use a program called Kismet with Prism based wireless cards (such as
the SMC 2532W-B). In general we find that Netstumbler and Windows XP is easier
to use for network surveying.
One test two BC Wireless members conducted was between two sites approximately 6.9
KM (4.3 miles) away from each
other.
The test sites are labelled Node 1
and Node 2 respectively
Netstumbler showing signal readings from the North Vancouver test site
We were so excited that our first link tested worked right away, we forgot to think about
what we were doing. Hindsight showed us several mistakes that were made:
• The antennas were not properly aligned. Using binoculars or a spotting scope
we could have properly aligned the antennas.
• We used a total of 40 feet of coaxial cable, this along cut the signal strength by
nearly half. In general it is best to minimize the use of coaxial cable, and
many access points and wireless radios do not even use cable (such as the
Tranzeo wireless devices)
• Each side of the link must have the antennas oriented in the same manner.
This is called polarity, if one antenna is horizontally aimed while the other is
vertically aimed, the link will lose up to 20 dB of signal.
• Each side of the link was approximately 1 meter above sea level. Much of our
radio signal was absorbed by the ocean in between. If we had elevated our
antennas by 10 feet or so, the link could have been much more reliable.
If possible (and with permission of the property owner), take digital pictures from each
place where a wireless device could be mounted.
You will need to map out possible locations and areas where your Wireless network
should provide coverage. Keeping track of a locations geographical coordinates using a
GPS is the first step to creating a map.
Once you've completed your survey, take a map (or use Radio Mobile) and place
markers (stick pins work well if using a paper map and cork board) at each location you
test. Use a different colour pin to indicate the strength of the access point's signal.
By colour coding each location based on the signal level, you can get an idea of the
strength of your network and weak points.
Antennas are made to a certain size based on the frequencies, you can not take an antenna
from a 2400 MHz radio and use it on a 5800 MHz radio, or vice versa.
There are not many 900 MHz products on the market, although it is used in some areas
for weather monitoring, traffic control and telephones. The 900 MHz band is especially
useful for shooting through trees and other obstructions, particularly well suited to
heavily treed and rural areas.
The 2400 MHz band is a very commonly used frequency band. Typical wireless
technologies that use this band are 802.11b (1-11 Mbps) and 802.11g (1-50 Mbps).
There are 11 channels in the 2400 MHz band, but only three of them are independent.
The other channels 'overlap', meaning that a user on channel 1 will receive some
interference from users on channels 2 and 3. 2.4 GHz signals will penetrate some light
tree coverage, best to try a sample link to see how much penetration is possible.
The 5200-5800 MHz band is not heavily used by consumer Wireless networking products
today. It is used by some cordless phones, however. The 5200Mhz band has three sub-
bands, the lowest being for indoor home use only, while the 5800Mhz frequencies can be
used for long distance wireless links at very fast speeds (30 – 100 Mbps).
A common strategy is to use 2400 MHz (802.11b and 802.11g) in residential and home
environments, and 5.8 GHz for network infrastructure (such as longer point to point
links).
So we can send an electrical signal out in to the air, but we must make the electrical
signal behave in a way that can transfer information. This is called modulation.
We can tell how far a radio signal will travel, and get an idea of how much information
we can transmit based on:
• The amount of power the antenna is transmitting into the air.
• The distance between the transmitting and receiving sides.
• How much radio signal the receiving radio needs.
• What type of obstructions are in the way.
In plain english this means that the Orinoco radio needs to hear at least -82 dBm of radio
signal to operate at 11 Mbps. This is a worst case scenario though, you should try to get
at least 10 extra dBm so instead of thinking it needs -82, say -72 dBm.
Using the work sheet below we can estimate the range of our network:
Based on the basic math we did, we can guesstimate that a 15 dBm radio hooked into a
14 dBi antenna, transmitting 5 miles to another radio hooked up to a 14 dBi antenna will
yield approximately -79 dB of signal.
That's not to bad, enough to get an 11 Mbps connection but it's not ideal. We want to
achieve a signal level of at least 10-20 dB higher than the minimum needed by a radio. In
this scenario you might use a higher power transmitter, choose a higher gain antenna, or
even setup a dedicated access point to handle subscribers in the 3-5 mile range, leaving
this access point to service subscribers up to 3 miles.
Remember, we're adding up the positive values that add performance to our network link
and subtracting values that take away signal.
As we add the transmitter power, antenna gains, the coaxial cable and connector losses,
and the total path loss we come up with a theoretical Receive Level. Ideally we want this
receive level to be at least 10-20 dB higher than what our client radios need to “hear”.
Assuming our clients have radios that need -80 dB of signal, an expected receive level of
-67 is well within our comfort range, and even -71 is okay.
Although the calculations can be done quickly by hand, several computer tools can be
used to save time and help visualize how these numbers fit together.
• www.bcwireless.net/misc/radio.xls a spreadsheet for OpenOffice and Microsoft Excel,
will “do the math” for you.
Each of these options comes with unique benefits and trade offs.
Integrated “all in one” devices save time and help get a specific goal accomplished but at
the sacrifice of flexibility and management tools. Such devices typically run a special
type of software that can not be expanded, and serve only one function.
Building your own equipment can provide many benefits to your community beyond a
wireless infrastructure. The software used on the devices can be expanded by your
community to offer multimedia services to subscribers and tourists. They can also be re-
tasked for other purposes later when they are replaced by newer technologies.
The devices can also be used as a learning and development tool for aspiring hackers in
the community, and provide a means for entrepreneurs to develop innovative software
and services.
Groups such as the BC Wireless Network Society utilize PC based systems because of
their flexibility and design.
WRAP
Senao
The Senao (pronounced “Senn Ay Oh”) 2511 is a high power
(23 dBm) access point and is very popular with Wireless
Internet Service Providers. The device is typically housed in a
case similar to the picture shown here. Fully assembled
systems cost approximately $600 USD.
Tranzeo
Tranzeo (“Tranz Zee Oh”) manufactures “integrated” all-in-one radios. These devices
have a directional antenna built into the radio, allowing for easy roof mounting. No
coaxial cable is needed, power is supplied over an Ethernet cable running from the radio
into your network centrer.
Tranzeo also manufacturers similar systems for point to point
bridge links, as well as subscriber radios.
For more information about Tranzeo's products, visit
www.tranzeo.com
Controller Board
The heart of the system is your controller board, this board handles runs a computer
operating system and controls the radios.
Common controller boards include:
• The WRAP
• Soekris
• Even an old PC
The Radio(s)
The wireless radio itself plugs into the controller board. Some
boards can handle two or more radios.
Radios come in many shapes and sizes. For WRAP and
Soekris based devices, radios less than the size of a business
card are used.
MiniPCI Radio Card
A GPS
A GPS (Global Positioning System) is a radio receiver that
can display your geographical coordinates.
A GPS allows a site surveyor to take accurate measurements
and plot network coverage on a map using Radio Mobile.
The Garmin eTrex GPS displayed here is a low end GPS
receiver, available from Canadian Tire for approximately
$150
Antennas
Antennas are the key part of your wireless system. It doesn't matter how little, or how
much power your transmitter can produce.
Antennas focus the radio energy from a transmitter into a “beam”. Similar to a flash light
with an adjustable head, the antenna can focus radio energy into a specific direction or
emit it evenly.
Antennas that focus energy into one direction are called Directional Antennas. The other
kind of antenna is an Omni directional, meaning the antenna emits radio energy all
around.
Antennas introduce gain into a radio system. Gain is measured in dB, just as a
transmitter is. You can calculate the total effective power being sent from an antenna by
adding the transmitters power output to the gain of the antenna:
Antennas also have a “beam width”. This is literally the width of the radio beam. Beam
width is measured in degrees and has separate horizontal (along the horizon or ground)
and vertical (up and down) beam widths.
Parabolic Grids
This antenna will be used with your access point radio. The access point radio will be
connected to the upstream Internet connection or other local networks. Regardless of the
type of Internet connection (be it a Telus EB1, satellite feed or Microwave hop from
Navigata) we assume that this wireless equipment will be connected to some sort of
Local Area Network using ethernet network cable.
The software is an excellent program for plotting long distance point to point wireless
links as well as determining the coverage a repeater has within your community.
The screen shot below shows Radio Mobile displaying a map of the Lower Mainland
including Vancouver and Richmond. Three nodes are displayed, test node 2 and 1 are
directly connected using a Point to Point link and test node 4 and 1 are connected as well.
The yellow blotches in the map are the visual coverage as seen from Test node 4. The
map is topographic, meaning that elevations of buildings and land are taken into account.
Hotspots
Hotspots are wireless networks often run by businesses and individuals. They are called
hotspots, because they provide a small coverage area for people to connect to community
networks and the Internet with.
Popular locations for hotspots include communal areas such as restaurants and cafes.
Hotspots are also powerful tools for supporting tourism. Visitors to a hotspot can be
presented with information about the local community, including upcoming events and
even presentations of local artwork and artisan works.
The BC Wireless Network Society provides a service for Community Wireless Hotspot
Network, more information can be found from http://www.bcwireless.net/hotspot/
Mesh
Mesh Networking is the holy grail of Wireless networking. Mesh refers to many types of
technology that enable wireless systems to automatically find each other and self
configure themselves to route information amongst themselves.
Mesh is as organic as networks can get, but is very immature. Several implementations
exist (but are not compatible with each other). Mesh networking should be treated as
experimental, but we strongly suggest that community wireless networks make
provisions for using Mesh technology either during early deployment (where it may turn
out to be stable for the needs of the community) or on an experimental basis.
Social issues
Interference
At first you may be the only wireless network within your region, but as your network
grows and more people “get on line” you will find yourself competing with new
providers.
Wireless radio spectrum is a finite resource. Many people can use the radio spectrum, but
as more people use wireless networking interference will increase.
In some cases you may even find your competitors actively working to interfere with you.
It is important to adopt a policy early on in your network deployment to work with your
community to resolve interference issues. Network operators should inform each other
when setting up new wireless system.
In fact, if you use licensed wireless devices you must coordinate with other wireless
users. Although coordination is not required when using license exempt wireless devices,
it is a best practise to follow.
Bridge
A bridge connects two paths together directly. Bridges do not decide where information
should be sent, they simply send whatever they hear.
Beam width
Beam Width is literally the width of a radio signal, in degrees. Antennas focus a radio
signal.
ISP
Internet Service Provider. An ISP is a company that provides Internet Services. This
usually means the ISP has a very large Internet connection (such as T1s, a DS3, OC3,
etc.) and runs servers to provide local Email and Web presence.
Free Space Loss
The amount of radio signal strength lost as the signal travels through a space between two
points. It is called “Free Space” because the loss does not include foreign sources of loss
such as trees or buildings.
POP
POP means two different things, depending on context.
• Email – POP is the Post Office Protocol. This is usually known as POP3.
• Networks – Point of Presence. A POP is a place where a network is available. A bank
machine in a gas station or band office could be thought of being a Point of Presence
because although the Bank itself is not there, it has a presence in the area through the
machine.
Router
A Router is like an intersection of a road. When information is received by a router, the
router decides where it should be sent to next. It does this by looking at where the
information is destined for, and what paths the router can send it to. The router may
decide to send the information down one of many paths based on network conditions,
cost of a network connection, proximity, etc.
You might envision a router thinking something like this to itself, “I just got a message
from someguy.Internet.com, it's supposed to go to thatotherdude.overthere.com. I'll send
it down via my friend myfriend.thatscloser.tooverthere.com”.
TCP/IP
TCP/IP is a protocol. It specifies how information should be sent over an Internet type
network. The Internet refers to many different networks (and technologies).
TCP/IP basically attaches a packing slip onto a packet of information. It includes where
the information comes from, where it is going, how long the information is and options as
to how the information should he handled.
TCP/IP allows information to be passed onto other networks until it finally reaches its
destination.
WiFi
“Wireless Fidelity”, refers to a commonly used Wireless technology known as “802.11”.
WiFi comes in many speeds and uses many frequency bands. Many users use WiFi
within their homes, while service providers often use WiFi to connect subscribers
together.
Location Address:
Property Contact:
Antenna Used:
Signal of access point:
Noise Level:
Power available?