TasWireless
Encyclopedia
TasWireless is a group of wireless network
ing enthusiasts in Tasmania
, Australia
. Between them they have set up wireless community network
s in both Hobart
and Launceston
. The group has gone through many names, tas.air, www.tas.air.net.au, TPAN (Tasmanian Public Airwave Network) and now TasWireless.
With users from several different backgrounds, including computer network
ing, amateur radio
, amateur television
, programming
, Linux
/BSD server administration, antenna and satellite dish
installations, and lots more, they are willing to assist with any community networks in any part of the state.
. There was only a small number of people who were interested in wireless networking at this time, less than five each in Hobart and Launceston. A node database
(http://www.nodedb.com) for Tasmanian regions was started, the mailing list was put on line, but due to the lack of practical experience and knowledge, very little happened. The cost of Wi-Fi
cards and wireless access point
s was also a problem.
In early 2002, a flood of cheap SkyNet Global 802.11b PC card
cards flooded the market. These cards were liquidated
stock and cost around A$
50-60 each - the average retail price was still around A$200. A lot of these cards were shipped to the state and distributed (both by TasWireless admins and otherwise).
is called StarNet. This was started as a private network by a small group of amateur radio
enthusiasts, around April 2002. It included around six or seven sites.
In April 2003, an operator of the TasWireless website stumbled upon one of their nodes, with SSID StarNet, and posted his find to the mailing list.
As a result, all users involved were able to share knowledge and make some minor changes to the network routing.
Another network RexNet, based in Kingston
was also found; they had already been working with the StarNet group to eventually join the networks.
In mid-2003, various 802.11b wireless access point
s appeared on the market at low prices - Svec and Minitar brand access points were selling for around $100. This made setting up nodes easier, as the compatibility issues between various brands of PCI
cradles, PC card
s, and operating systems caused some problems.
By the start of March 2004, there were around 25 nodes on StarNet, reaching from Tea Tree, Otago, Rosetta, Lutana, Glenorchy, Moonah, Lindisfarne, Lenah Valley, Bellerive, Acton, Tranmere, Sandy Bay and Kingston.
At the end of January 2004, two groups appeared, around the same time. One group was unnamed (though was working under the TasWireless name), the other was called TasGrid.
Both groups currently have two major access points each with around 10-12 nodes being on each. Neither group appears to be very active at the present time.
Launceston Wireless has started forming some connections to hopefully create a working city wide public network
Wireless network
Wireless network refers to any type of computer network that is not connected by cables of any kind. It is a method by which homes, telecommunications networks and enterprise installations avoid the costly process of introducing cables into a building, or as a connection between various equipment...
ing enthusiasts in Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. Between them they have set up wireless community network
Wireless community network
Wireless community networks or wireless community projects are the organizations that attempt to take a grassroots approach to providing a viable alternative to municipal wireless networks for consumers....
s in both Hobart
Hobart
Hobart is the state capital and most populous city of the Australian island state of Tasmania. Founded in 1804 as a penal colony,Hobart is Australia's second oldest capital city after Sydney. In 2009, the city had a greater area population of approximately 212,019. A resident of Hobart is known as...
and Launceston
Launceston, Tasmania
Launceston is a city in the north of the state of Tasmania, Australia at the junction of the North Esk and South Esk rivers where they become the Tamar River. Launceston is the second largest city in Tasmania after the state capital Hobart...
. The group has gone through many names, tas.air, www.tas.air.net.au, TPAN (Tasmanian Public Airwave Network) and now TasWireless.
With users from several different backgrounds, including computer network
Computer network
A computer network, often simply referred to as a network, is a collection of hardware components and computers interconnected by communication channels that allow sharing of resources and information....
ing, amateur radio
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...
, amateur television
Amateur television
Amateur television is the transmission of Broadcast quality video and audio over the wide range of frequencies of allocated for Radio amateur use. ATV is used for non-commercial experimentation, pleasure and public service events...
, programming
Computer programming
Computer programming is the process of designing, writing, testing, debugging, and maintaining the source code of computer programs. This source code is written in one or more programming languages. The purpose of programming is to create a program that performs specific operations or exhibits a...
, Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
/BSD server administration, antenna and satellite dish
Satellite dish
A satellite dish is a dish-shaped type of parabolic antenna designed to receive microwaves from communications satellites, which transmit data transmissions or broadcasts, such as satellite television.-Principle of operation:...
installations, and lots more, they are willing to assist with any community networks in any part of the state.
Introduction
The TasWireless site was first started in 1999. It started as a spliter group from TasLUG, the Tasmanian Linux Users GroupLinux User Group
A Linux User Group or Linux Users' Group or GNU/Linux User Group is a private, generally non-profit or not-for-profit organization that provides support and/or education for Linux users, particularly for inexperienced users...
. There was only a small number of people who were interested in wireless networking at this time, less than five each in Hobart and Launceston. A node database
Database
A database is an organized collection of data for one or more purposes, usually in digital form. The data are typically organized to model relevant aspects of reality , in a way that supports processes requiring this information...
(http://www.nodedb.com) for Tasmanian regions was started, the mailing list was put on line, but due to the lack of practical experience and knowledge, very little happened. The cost of Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi or Wifi, is a mechanism for wirelessly connecting electronic devices. A device enabled with Wi-Fi, such as a personal computer, video game console, smartphone, or digital audio player, can connect to the Internet via a wireless network access point. An access point has a range of about 20...
cards and wireless access point
Wireless access point
In computer networking, a wireless access point is a device that allows wireless devices to connect to a wired network using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or related standards...
s was also a problem.
In early 2002, a flood of cheap SkyNet Global 802.11b PC card
PC card
In computing, PC Card is the form factor of a peripheral interface designed for laptop computers. The PC Card standard was defined and developed by the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association which itself was created by a number of computer industry companies in the United States...
cards flooded the market. These cards were liquidated
Liquidation
In law, liquidation is the process by which a company is brought to an end, and the assets and property of the company redistributed. Liquidation is also sometimes referred to as winding-up or dissolution, although dissolution technically refers to the last stage of liquidation...
stock and cost around A$
Australian dollar
The Australian dollar is the currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island, as well as the independent Pacific Island states of Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu...
50-60 each - the average retail price was still around A$200. A lot of these cards were shipped to the state and distributed (both by TasWireless admins and otherwise).
Wireless networks in Hobart
The predominant network in HobartHobart
Hobart is the state capital and most populous city of the Australian island state of Tasmania. Founded in 1804 as a penal colony,Hobart is Australia's second oldest capital city after Sydney. In 2009, the city had a greater area population of approximately 212,019. A resident of Hobart is known as...
is called StarNet. This was started as a private network by a small group of amateur radio
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...
enthusiasts, around April 2002. It included around six or seven sites.
In April 2003, an operator of the TasWireless website stumbled upon one of their nodes, with SSID StarNet, and posted his find to the mailing list.
As a result, all users involved were able to share knowledge and make some minor changes to the network routing.
Another network RexNet, based in Kingston
Kingston, Tasmania
Kingston is a township and region on the outskirts of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. Nestled 15 km south of the city between and around several hills, Kingston is the council seat of its wider municipality, the Kingborough Council, and today serves as the gateway between Hobart and the...
was also found; they had already been working with the StarNet group to eventually join the networks.
In mid-2003, various 802.11b wireless access point
Wireless access point
In computer networking, a wireless access point is a device that allows wireless devices to connect to a wired network using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or related standards...
s appeared on the market at low prices - Svec and Minitar brand access points were selling for around $100. This made setting up nodes easier, as the compatibility issues between various brands of PCI
Peripheral Component Interconnect
Conventional PCI is a computer bus for attaching hardware devices in a computer...
cradles, PC card
PC card
In computing, PC Card is the form factor of a peripheral interface designed for laptop computers. The PC Card standard was defined and developed by the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association which itself was created by a number of computer industry companies in the United States...
s, and operating systems caused some problems.
By the start of March 2004, there were around 25 nodes on StarNet, reaching from Tea Tree, Otago, Rosetta, Lutana, Glenorchy, Moonah, Lindisfarne, Lenah Valley, Bellerive, Acton, Tranmere, Sandy Bay and Kingston.
Wireless networks in Launceston
Wireless networks in Launceston were a lot slower to take off than in Hobart, but is to be expected with a smaller population. Several small peer-to-peer links were tested, but no major infrastructure was rolled out.At the end of January 2004, two groups appeared, around the same time. One group was unnamed (though was working under the TasWireless name), the other was called TasGrid.
Both groups currently have two major access points each with around 10-12 nodes being on each. Neither group appears to be very active at the present time.
Launceston Wireless has started forming some connections to hopefully create a working city wide public network