AMPRNet
Encyclopedia
The AMPRNet is a name used by amateur radio
operators for computer networks connected over amateur radio. Other names for the network include IPv4 Network 44/8 and Network 44. Much of the information here is rapidly changing to historical, as packet radio
is in an exponential decline within the amateur radio hobby, and most remaining users have switched to the private address space
(10/8, 172.16/12, 192.168/16, etc).
The use of TCP/IP on amateur radio using packet radio networks, preceeded the appearance of the public Internet. The class A 44 netblock of 16.7 Million IP addresses was set aside for amateur radio users worldwide, having been secured in the 1970s by Hank Magnuski
, when computer networking was in its infancy. Packet radio was used as a low level protocol for many competing higher level protocols, and TCP/IP users were essentially a minority due to the complexity of the configuration. The low baud rates also inflamed packet node site owners, as they saw the IP protocol as having too high of a protocol overhead. Very few systems operated over HF for this reason. The best solution on 1200 baud VHF networks emerged as TCP/IP over the ROSE protocol, just before the public Internet made them obsolete. The ROSE system today is maintained by the Open Source FPAC linux project.
The AMPRNet is connected by wireless links and Internet
tunnels. Due to the bandwidth limitations of the radio spectrum
, VHF and UHF links are commonly 1200 baud
, and usually restricted to a maximum of 9600 baud. 300 baud is normally used on HF. Microwave links generally do not use packet radio, and instead use the commercial Wi-Fi access points (HSMM
). The AMPRNet fully supports TCP/IP allowing for support of all network protocols.
The AMPRNet is composed of a series of subnets
throughout the world. Portions of the network have point to point radio links to adjacent nodes, while others are completely isolated.
Geographically dispersed radio subnets can be connected together using an IP tunnel between sites with Internet connectivity. Many of these sites also have a tunnel to a central router (mirrorshades.ucsd.edu), which routes between the 44/8 network and the rest of the Internet using static tables updated by volunteers.
Recent experimentation has moved beyond these centrally controlled static solutions, to dynamic configurations provided by Peer to Peer VPN
.
(IP) addresses in this block are in the 44.0.0.0/8 network and are available to any licensed amateur radio operator. The assigning of addresses is done by volunteer coordinators. These addresses can be made routable over the Internet if fully coordinated with the volunteer administrators.
. Connectivity to the rest of the network should be given through router gateways
much as one would do with Network address translation
in any other private IP block.
Amateur radio
Amateur radio is the use of designated radio frequency spectrum for purposes of private recreation, non-commercial exchange of messages, wireless experimentation, self-training, and emergency communication...
operators for computer networks connected over amateur radio. Other names for the network include IPv4 Network 44/8 and Network 44. Much of the information here is rapidly changing to historical, as packet radio
Packet radio
Packet radio is a form of packet switching technology used to transmit digital data via radio or wireless communications links. It uses the same concepts of data transmission via Datagram that are fundamental to communications via the Internet, as opposed to the older techniques used by dedicated...
is in an exponential decline within the amateur radio hobby, and most remaining users have switched to the private address space
Private network
In the Internet addressing architecture, a private network is a network that uses private IP address space, following the standards set by RFC 1918 and RFC 4193. These addresses are commonly used for home, office, and enterprise local area networks , when globally routable addresses are not...
(10/8, 172.16/12, 192.168/16, etc).
The use of TCP/IP on amateur radio using packet radio networks, preceeded the appearance of the public Internet. The class A 44 netblock of 16.7 Million IP addresses was set aside for amateur radio users worldwide, having been secured in the 1970s by Hank Magnuski
Hank Magnuski
Prior to founding NCast, Dr. Hank Magnuski was co-founder and CEO of GammaLink. He invented the industry's first PC-to-fax communications technology in 1985. In 1994, GammaLink merged with Dialogic Corporation of Parsippany, New Jersey, a leading manufacturer of voice cards for the PC. In 1999,...
, when computer networking was in its infancy. Packet radio was used as a low level protocol for many competing higher level protocols, and TCP/IP users were essentially a minority due to the complexity of the configuration. The low baud rates also inflamed packet node site owners, as they saw the IP protocol as having too high of a protocol overhead. Very few systems operated over HF for this reason. The best solution on 1200 baud VHF networks emerged as TCP/IP over the ROSE protocol, just before the public Internet made them obsolete. The ROSE system today is maintained by the Open Source FPAC linux project.
The AMPRNet is connected by wireless links and Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
tunnels. Due to the bandwidth limitations of the radio spectrum
Radio spectrum
Radio spectrum refers to the part of the electromagnetic spectrum corresponding to radio frequencies – that is, frequencies lower than around 300 GHz ....
, VHF and UHF links are commonly 1200 baud
Baud
In telecommunications and electronics, baud is synonymous to symbols per second or pulses per second. It is the unit of symbol rate, also known as baud rate or modulation rate; the number of distinct symbol changes made to the transmission medium per second in a digitally modulated signal or a...
, and usually restricted to a maximum of 9600 baud. 300 baud is normally used on HF. Microwave links generally do not use packet radio, and instead use the commercial Wi-Fi access points (HSMM
Hinternet
High-speed multimedia radio , colloquially referred to as the hinternet, is the implementation of wireless data networks over amateur radio frequencies using commercial off-the-shelf hardware such as 802.11 access points and D-Star equipment...
). The AMPRNet fully supports TCP/IP allowing for support of all network protocols.
The AMPRNet is composed of a series of subnets
Subnetwork
A subnetwork, or subnet, is a logically visible subdivision of an IP network. The practice of dividing a network into subnetworks is called subnetting....
throughout the world. Portions of the network have point to point radio links to adjacent nodes, while others are completely isolated.
Geographically dispersed radio subnets can be connected together using an IP tunnel between sites with Internet connectivity. Many of these sites also have a tunnel to a central router (mirrorshades.ucsd.edu), which routes between the 44/8 network and the rest of the Internet using static tables updated by volunteers.
Recent experimentation has moved beyond these centrally controlled static solutions, to dynamic configurations provided by Peer to Peer VPN
N2n
n2n is an open source Layer 2 over Layer 3 VPN application which utilises a peer-to-peer architecture for network membership and routing.Contrary to many other VPN programs, n2n can also connect computers which reside behind NAT routers. These connections are set up with help from a third computer...
.
Address administration
The Internet protocolInternet Protocol
The Internet Protocol is the principal communications protocol used for relaying datagrams across an internetwork using the Internet Protocol Suite...
(IP) addresses in this block are in the 44.0.0.0/8 network and are available to any licensed amateur radio operator. The assigning of addresses is done by volunteer coordinators. These addresses can be made routable over the Internet if fully coordinated with the volunteer administrators.
44.128.0.0/16
44.128.x.x is the testing subnet and consists of 65,536 (216) addresses. Much akin to 10.0.0.0/8, 172.16.0.0/12, 169.254.0.0/16 or 192.168.0.0/16, this is an unroutable private IP blockPrivate network
In the Internet addressing architecture, a private network is a network that uses private IP address space, following the standards set by RFC 1918 and RFC 4193. These addresses are commonly used for home, office, and enterprise local area networks , when globally routable addresses are not...
. Connectivity to the rest of the network should be given through router gateways
Gateway (telecommunications)
In telecommunications, the term gateway has the following meaning:*In a communications network, a network node equipped for interfacing with another network that uses different protocols....
much as one would do with Network address translation
Network address translation
In computer networking, network address translation is the process of modifying IP address information in IP packet headers while in transit across a traffic routing device....
in any other private IP block.
See also
- AX.25AX.25AX.25 is a data link layer protocol derived from the X.25 protocol suite and designed for use by amateur radio operators. It is used extensively on amateur packet radio networks....
- High-speed multimedia radio
- List of packet radio nodes
- WinlinkWinlinkWinlink, also known as the Winlink 2000 Network, is a worldwide radio messaging system that mixes internet technology and appropriate amateur radio radio frequency technologies. The system provides radio interconnection services including: email with attachments, position reporting, graphic and...
External links
- Official site (http://www.ampr.org)
- Amateur Packet Radio Gateways
- Amateur Packet Radio Gateways FAQ
- FPAC Linux software