I struggled at first with the Linux setup but when you look at the big picture, it is not the dynamic routing but rather the tunneling to all the distributed subnets. In this configuration, the Linux box is the lowest cost most functional solution. And I am a Cisco guy.
While the Linux learning curve can be steep, there are a lot of great guys you can reach out to for assistance. They helped me.
In the end, I run both a Linux and Cisco solution capable of providing and routing to the subnets. The Linux box is my main link to the rest of the networks.
Good luck.
Jesse - WC3XS
Hi,
First time posting on this list.
I am new to AMPRNet and actually still struggling to make gateway. I realized that I have to download encap file with route definitions and load them into my gateway router so my networks sees all other networks in 44/8.
It is suggested that I have to get up Linux box that will do the gateway job.
Thing is, I want to use Mikrotik router that I already have in use, and which handles my network. I do not need another box just to play gateway.
I do not understand why standard dynamic routing protocol is not used in first place, so we would not have this issue at all as all routers are capable of dynamic routing?!?!
I noticed that there is a script made by Marius, YO2LOJ, that reads encap file and then sets Mikrotik up to it. But, to run that script I again need Linux box. I noticed there are other scripts that do the same for other kind of routers.
I guess there are number of fellow hams that would like to use already set router and not additional Linux box.
Why then such scripts are not run at portal.ampr.org so we can, besides encap file, download prepared files for popular routers, so we do not need to make conversions for ourselves?
If such download is provided, I would be able make Mikrotik itself to download file and run it to set routes. I would not need additional Linux box to do that.
That would make whole process simpler, easier to implement and even cheaper (in manner not just money, but efforts, physical space, maintenance...) and that could motivate more people to get involved.
If resources on portal.ampr.org are limited, mirror copies of those files could be easily established to prevent problems.
YT9TP Pedja
44Net mailing list 44Net@hamradio.ucsd.edu http://hamradio.ucsd.edu/mailman/listinfo/44net http://www.ampr.org/donate.html