On Thu, 2013-07-25 at 06:38 -0400, several spaketh:
> I guess it will kind of boil down to
applications. And a way to
> advertise them to everyone else who has access to the network.
Actually you need to reach those who don't have access as well, and
those could produce some unknown key players down the road!
I envision those benefactors (not necessarily ISPs)
who have access to
fiber optic networks, ipv6, and some spare bandwidth, with facillities that
could support a couple of servers, and last-mile connections to: HSMM (now
called Broadband-Hamnet); cable; or even fiber; to local groups of hams who
might organize to provide that last-mile internet access to remote sites
(and/or their QTH). Bandwidth needs should be minimal, amateurs are
licensed, and for the most part would be willing to agree to avoid
streaming entertainment, etc.
Isn't that what local gateway operators do? Provide connectivity via RF
into the amprnet? The RF is a given IMHO. It'll pump your protocols
through regardless of if it's 1200 baud 2m or HAMNET.
This is not intended to replace their commercial ISP
but to provide a
backup, with, of course, 44-net addresses. ( I currently pay two
independent ISPs $39 a month for the privilege of testing routers, OpenVPN,
and having a pitifully slow point-2-point RF connection for when the cable
is being hogged by Netflix ;)
The average "joe ham" will think:
"for 39 bucks, I can watch whole length movies vs for 100 bucks I can
have faster HAMNET and can't watch full length movies". It's a matter of
cost effectiveness.
A potentially useful quote from Broadband-Hamnet:
* It is NOT intended to replace your personal Internet connection. It is a
“feature” that HSMM-MESH™ can be connected to the Internet. General
Internet access is not its primary purpose. Use your personal Internet
connection under Part 15 to serve that purpose.*
In a sense, Brian Kantor indirectly said that here as well.
*
One application that I can see being enabled by regional peering could be
analysis of the RF network for a service such as APRS, where duplicate
AX-25 packets are collected and stored, rather than hitting the bit-bucket.
Perhaps I'm wrong here, but I would think those who are licensed and
want to participate in APRS are already doing so... and I'm sure many of
them aren't even on the amprnet.
I also see a need for grass-roots Internet access that
can be deployed in
the field to get e-mail into disaster areas - or APRS into remote areas to
support Search-And-Rescue (SAR)
That's why I completed the work started by Hessu and Marius in regards
to axMail-Fax... however there's already a system out there called
Winlink 2000 that uses HF, FM, and Internet to handle email. When I
query those who run it I get almost always these 3 identical comments:
1) It's windows, there's no learning curve of nos or linux involved.
2) I can use the resources I have already without any _additional
expenses_.
3) I don't have time to learn amprnet.
... then there was the issue raised about 3-party relaying, so now we
have governmental restrictions shying us away from certain applications.
How we route is all well and good, but if you're not:
- providing useful services, some of which may be unique
- have a user base to use this network
- cost effectiveness (especially to the seniors who may be on fixed
incomes)
We all know how to build a bridge (network routing) but it appears we're
discussing of doing such without having a road to connect both ends of
it to.
--
73 de Brian Rogers - N1URO
email: <n1uro(a)n1uro.ampr.org>
Web:
http://www.n1uro.net/
Ampr1:
http://n1uro.ampr.org/
Ampr2:
http://nos.n1uro.ampr.org
Linux Amateur Radio Services
axMail-Fax & URONode
AmprNet coordinator for:
Delaware, all New England,
and New Jersey.