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DISCLAIMER
The intention of this page is to provide a very simple guide or
starting point for a basic configuration that will apply to most first
time users. There are many other detailed pages on this wiki that go
into much more detail about complicated configurations and issues.
* Internet [1]
* Register with Melbourne Wireless [2]
* Setting up your Node [3]
* Who to connect to [4]
* Hardware [5]
* Antenna [6]
* Cabling [7]
* Connectors [8]
* Access Point [9]
* Connecting to you PC [10]
* First connection [11]
* Routing [12]
* IP address [13]
* What is available on the network? [14]
* Need more information [15]
INTERNET
Melbourne Wireless (MW) is not an ISP and does not sell or support a
connection to the internet. Some members of the network are willing to
share their internet, some times for free and other times at the rate
which it costs them.
It is illegal to sell internet for profit without becoming an ISP.
Although it appears to be legal to share internet at cost.
If you are interested in receiving internet or sharing it, best join
the email group for your local area (see how below).
REGISTER WITH MELBOURNE WIRELESS
The first thing to do is to become a registered user of Melbourne
Wireless, this is free. Don't worry, your email account will not be
spammed.
Register Here [16]
SETTING UP YOUR NODE
A node is a device that is connected as part of a computer network.
What is a Node [17]
A Melbourne Wireless node is created at the place where you are
interested in joining to the network, usually your home. The status of
the node can be set to 'possibly interested' if you are just testing
the waters.
Create your Node [18]
Node names are automatically generated as three letters and referred
to as NodeAAA [19]. Once your node is created you will be able to see
other nodes that are close to you.
WHO TO CONNECT TO
Now that you have a node all setup, who do you connect to? There are
two ways to find this out.
Areas are split up into regional groups and they usually have their
own email groups that you can ask this question in. This can often be
the best place to get started. Use this map [20] to determine what
area you fall under
GROUP ID
GROUP WEB PAGE
1
RGCentral [21]
2
RGWesternPlains [22]
3
RGMaribyrnong [23] encompassing RGNorthWest [24]
4
RGInnerNorth [25] encompassing RGMerri [26]
5
RGDarebin [27] and RGNorthernHills [28]
6
RGNorthEast [29] aka RGYarraNorth [30]
7
RGYarraValley [31]
8
RGInnerEast [32]
9
RGOuterEasternAndFoothills [33]
10
RGSouthern [34]
11
RGPeninsula [35]
If you can see a node that you would like to connect to from the map,
you can email the person directly. Click on the node in question, then
click the 'Contacts name' to email the owner of the node directly.
Don't be shocked if you do not get a reply, some people are fearful
about providing their real email address.
HARDWARE
The best way to find out what hardware is need is to ask the person
that you want to connect to. Changes are they will have some
experience and good idea what is needed.
In most cases it is as simple as fitting a WiFi [36] antenna to the
top of you TV mast, then running coaxial cable to an Access Point
hidden under the roof. The trick is to ensure you have LineOfSight
[37] to the node you are connecting to. WiFi [38] is directional,
meaning it does not travel thought houses or shopping centres very
well.
ANTENNA
There are many different types of antenna for WiFi [39], you will
only be interested in directional at this stage.
Parabolic grid [40], Helical [41], Yagi [42], Panel [43],Cantennas
[44] or others [45]
The least visual impact would be the Yagi [46], or Panel [47] types.
Retailers can be found on the HardwareSuppliers [48] page.
CABLING
No you can not use TV coaxial cabling. Special low loss 2.4Ghz
cabling is needed to run from you antenna to the access point. If you
use just any old coax cable [49], you'll lose too much signal before
it even gets to your antenna.
LMR-400 [50] is the standard we recommend.
CONNECTORS
There are many different connectors that are used, it is important to
order the correct ones. The industry standard connector used on Wifi
antennas is the NConnector [51]. Most access points have special
connectors just to make life difficult.
It is best to determine the length of cable you will need and order
it with the connectors already fitted. You will need to know which
access point you intend to use as there is no standard for access
point connectors.
ACCESS POINT
There are many different access points or wireless cards that are up
to the job, many are listed here HardwareCatalog [52]
Many people have had good reports with the linksys WRT54G, upgraded
with the dd-wrt firmware
CONNECTING TO YOU PC
So, you have a directional antenna on you roof, LMR-400 [53] coaxial
cabling running to you access point hiding under the roof. The next
step is to run Cat5 (ethernet) cabling from the access point to your
PC.
If you dont wont to run cabling from your access point to your PC you
can use a additional access point. This is alittle more expensive but
if you are renting the house or just dont want to run cables this can
be a good option. You will also need a wifi card in you PC.
Access point 1 is in the roof, pluged into access point 2 and
wireless connects to the PC. Access point 2 is in the roof and
connects to MW network
PC ------> Access point 1 -------> Access point 2 -----> MW network
wireless ethernet wireless
FIRST CONNECTION
dd-wrt firmware on the linksys wrt54g access point (like some others)
has a wireless client support. Meaning you can change the deveice from
access point (AP) mode into client mode. This allows the device to
connect to antother AP.
dd-wrt can do a site servery, very helpful with finding other
networks.
ROUTING
You will hear a lot of talk about routing and IP tables. Using this
configuration you will not need to worry about any of this.
Routing is used when you have more then one connection to the
network. In order for data to find the correct path, or the shortest
path to its destination routing tables are setup. As you have only one
connection there is nothing to worry about.
IP ADDRESS
The MW network allocates IP blocks to nodes that have connected
clients. The person you are connecting to should have an IP address
range (or block) allocated to them, you will be able to see this in
there node page.
They should have DHCP setup and be allocating this address out to
clients. The linksys will automatically accept the DHCP address
internally without you knowing. There is no need to change anything.
You will need to change the default gateway to the IP address of the
node you are connecting to. This is the only change that is needed.
WHAT IS AVAILABLE ON THE NETWORK?
Remember that Melbourne Wireless is not an ISP and it does not give
out free internet. To find out what services are in your area best get
involved in the local email group for your area.
NEED MORE INFORMATION
More lite reading GettingStartedHowto [54]
Most detailed information is available on TheEvolvingFAQ [55]
The lists [56] is the best place to ask any questions you may have.
Remember google is you friend, there is a heap if Wifi information
out there.
Links:
------
[1] http://melbournewireless.org.au/#internet
[2] http://melbournewireless.org.au/#register_with_melbourne_wireless
[3] http://melbournewireless.org.au/#setting_up_your_node
[4] http://melbournewireless.org.au/#who_to_connect_to
[5] http://melbournewireless.org.au/#hardware
[6] http://melbournewireless.org.au/#antenna
[7] http://melbournewireless.org.au/#cabling
[8] http://melbournewireless.org.au/#connectors
[9] http://melbournewireless.org.au/#access_point
[10] http://melbournewireless.org.au/#connecting_to_you_pc
[11] http://melbournewireless.org.au/#first_connection
[12] http://melbournewireless.org.au/#routing
[13] http://melbournewireless.org.au/#ip_address
[14]
http://melbournewireless.org.au/#what_is_available_on_the_network_
[15] http://melbournewireless.org.au/#need_more_information
[16] http://www.melbournewireless.org.au/users/register/
[17] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Node_(networking)/
[18] http://www.melbournewireless.org.au/maps/create/
[19] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?NodeAAA
[20] http://www.melbournewireless.org.au/nodes/img/area_boundaries.png
[21] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?RGCentral
[22] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?RGWesternPlains
[23] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?RGMaribyrnong
[24] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?RGNorthWest
[25] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?RGInnerNorth
[26] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?RGMerri
[27] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?RGDarebin
[28] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?RGNorthernHills
[29] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?RGNorthEast
[30] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?RGYarraNorth
[31] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?RGYarraValley
[32] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?RGInnerEast
[33] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?RGOuterEasternAndFoothills
[34] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?RGSouthern
[35] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?RGPeninsula
[36] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?WiFi
[37] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?LineOfSight
[38] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?WiFi
[39] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?WiFi
[40] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?ParabolicAntenna
[41] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?HelicalAntenna
[42] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?YagiAntenna
[43] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?PanelAntenna
[44] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?Cantenna
[45] http://wirelessanarchy.com/#Antenna
[46] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?YagiAntenna
[47] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?PanelAntenna
[48] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?HardwareSuppliers
[49] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?CoaxialCable
[50] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?LMR-400
[51] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?NConnector
[52] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?HardwareCatalog
[53] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?LMR-400
[54] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?GettingStartedHowto
[55] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?TheEvolvingFAQ
[56] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?mailing
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