BerlinRoofNet: Difference between revisions
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==About== |
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The [http://www.pdos.lcs.mit.edu/roofnet/ MIT Roof Net project] has demonstrated that it is possible to provide an 802.11b-based wireless network backbone infrastructure in a city like Boston (MA). The Berlin Roof Net project tries to determine if a similar network can be setup in Berlin/Germany. |
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Wireless multi-hop mesh networks play an increasingly important role as backbones for sensor networks and as community networks that provide Internet access in urban areas. The [http://www.pdos.lcs.mit.edu/roofnet/ MIT Roof Net project] has demonstrated that it is possible to supply a large city, such as Boston, with IP network access over an 802.11-based wireless mesh network. The Berlin Roof Net project investigates if a similar (even larger) network can be setup in the city of Berlin and whether such a network can be build in a completely self-organizing/self-configuring way. The Berlin Roof Net project is run by volunteer students of the Computer Science Department at Humboldt University Berlin. Mesh nodes are run independently by the students with their own equipment. |
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==Challenge== |
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The Boston network consists of approximately 40 nodes that are mounted on the roofs of buildings (hence the name ’roof net’) and is operated by students and other volunteers. RoofNet nodes discover each other automatically and create a mesh network, which, with the help of proper routing protocols, allow for transmission of IP packets between any two nodes of the network, with data rates of about 1Mbps. |
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Realizing a wireless mesh network turns out to be non-trivial. One of their biggest challenges is the insufficient scalability with increasing number of nodes and users. The most important reason for this phenomenon can be found in the structure of a multi-hop network: a node is responsible not only for the transmission of its own data, but also for forwarding packets of other nodes. No less significant is the fact that wireless network nodes in close proximity interfere with each other because they share the same medium. With the help of our Berlin RoofNet testbed we can develop, test and evaluate new routing protocols for wireless multi-hop mesh networks. |
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==Vision== |
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Berlin has unique properties that make the establishment of such a roof network challenging: |
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A community network must be usable for inexperienced end users; thus self-organization is essential. On the one hand, we are working on protocols for ad-hoc wireless multi hop mesh networks, where the client is fully freed from such mundane tasks as IP configuration, etc. On the other hand, the community mesh network itself shall be fully self-organized thus no operator or provider is required. |
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* Berlin has generally higher buildings with more metal structures than Boston. |
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* Distances between project participants tend to be larger in Berlin than in Boston. |
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* It is yet unknown whether the mounting of RoofNet nodes/antennas on buildings is practicable in Berlin. |
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* Radio interference may be more intense in Berlin due to more systems that are simultaneously operated at 2.4 GHz. |
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* The acceptance of radio-based communication by the general public may be less pronounced in Berlin than in Boston. |
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==Overview== |
==Overview== |
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Revision as of 12:15, 21 November 2006
About
Wireless multi-hop mesh networks play an increasingly important role as backbones for sensor networks and as community networks that provide Internet access in urban areas. The MIT Roof Net project has demonstrated that it is possible to supply a large city, such as Boston, with IP network access over an 802.11-based wireless mesh network. The Berlin Roof Net project investigates if a similar (even larger) network can be setup in the city of Berlin and whether such a network can be build in a completely self-organizing/self-configuring way. The Berlin Roof Net project is run by volunteer students of the Computer Science Department at Humboldt University Berlin. Mesh nodes are run independently by the students with their own equipment.
Challenge
Realizing a wireless mesh network turns out to be non-trivial. One of their biggest challenges is the insufficient scalability with increasing number of nodes and users. The most important reason for this phenomenon can be found in the structure of a multi-hop network: a node is responsible not only for the transmission of its own data, but also for forwarding packets of other nodes. No less significant is the fact that wireless network nodes in close proximity interfere with each other because they share the same medium. With the help of our Berlin RoofNet testbed we can develop, test and evaluate new routing protocols for wireless multi-hop mesh networks.
Vision
A community network must be usable for inexperienced end users; thus self-organization is essential. On the one hand, we are working on protocols for ad-hoc wireless multi hop mesh networks, where the client is fully freed from such mundane tasks as IP configuration, etc. On the other hand, the community mesh network itself shall be fully self-organized thus no operator or provider is required.