Win a world famous Metageek Wi-Spy - Closed
To win, all you need to do is be a member of Air-Stream Wireless and send a short story about your experiences using wireless LAN along with a minimum of three pictures.
To win is easier than you may think, all you need to do is be a member of Air-Stream Wireless and send a short story about your any experience you have had using wireless LAN along with a minimum of three pictures.
Send your entries to the Air-Stream committee by e-mail:
Kindly sponsored by:
The Specialists in Software and Hardware Performance Benchmarking Solutions
Gould Creek Build Report
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The Air-Stream Gould Creek site is located on the side of the hill with excellent views looking across adelaide. The site underwent an upgrade on mid october 2009. The site previousley was running two RouterBoard RB433's with a 2.4ghz Backbone to Air-Stream EARC and 5.8ghz to Air-Stream Osbourne. The site also had a Superpass 8db 2.4ghz Omni. It was decided that this site desperatly needed an upgrade from reports of less than dialup speeds.
Starting around 8am the new mast and many antennas were loaded up on the trailer and we headed out to the Gould Creek Site (bypassing Bunnings on the way). When we arrived, other Air-Stream members were eagerly awaiting to get started. The old boxes and mast were removed to be reused elsewhere in the network. Once the existing setup was removed, construction on the new awesomeness was started. |
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The new and current setup at Air-stream Gould-Creek consists of:
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The New equipment was assembled in the following order:
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The Gould Creek site has various backbones to other key Air-Stream locations:
Overall the day was long but a huge success, with much better speeds reaching clients now. |
How-To: Setup Air-stream at home.
So you want to get on Air-Stream? Great! Here's a little How-To for getting yourself connected to the network. All Air-Stream connections are made up of 3 essential parts:
In this guide we'll cover these three basic items as we walk through how Air-Stream-Modbury-North was setup from scratch. There will also be a rough costing listed for how much everything cost to give you a realistic idea on what it costs to connect in. |
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1. Some Wireless Gear |
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Air-Stream uses 802.11a/b/g hardware to create their network. What is this you may ask? its 2.4ghz and 5.8ghz equipment. If you wish to learn more about the wireless standards click here The basic setup of an Air-Stream site is very modular, it consists of the following parts.
1. a. A RouterboardA RouterBOARD is a hardware platform developed by a company called MikroTik. It is essentially just a small computer which runs MikroTiks own RouterOS. If you want to look into what MikroTik have on offer in the RouterBoard range please click here.Air-Stream moved from WRAP2 boards to RouterBoards a few years back, and the last of the WRAP2 boards were decommissioned recently. The change was implemented due to the easier to use interface of RouterOS and due to the higher compatibility with these boards. The other big benefit is what is known as 'POE' or Power Over Ethernet as you can see in the picture on the right, the far left ethernet port has 'POE' written on it. This enables us to power the board via a single network cable. So when you install the gear onto your roof, you only need a single cable running from the box to your house/shed as data and power operate over the same cable.
1. b. A Wireless CardWireless cards come in all shapes, sizes, frequencies and power ratings. The particular cards which are use in conjunction with the RouterBoard series of boards are known as MiniPCI cards. They are the same MiniPCI Cards which are often found in laptops. The particular cards which Air-Stream uses are suited to this type of installation rather than your home laptop, as they are generally too large to fit inside a laptop. Air-Stream currently has 3 different frequency cards in use:
Your home wireless operates on the 2400mhz (2.4Ghz) band and this is what all client access points operate in around the network. The specification which runs on 2.4Ghz is 802.11b and 802.11g. Most of Air-Streams backhaul links operate in the 5800mhz (5.8Ghz) band. The specification which runs on 5.8Ghz is 802.11a. The 900mhz cards are not widely used due to a couple of reasons, firstly in Australia we cannot run a full wireless "channel" as the Mobile Phone company's have commercially licensed bands which intrude on the 900mhz spectrum, and secondly the only available antennas which are actually feasible to install are not very directional, so there can only be one 900mhz link in a 20-30km radius otherwise there will be interference. Air-Stream currently has two 900mhz links in service. To do some further reading on a particular type of MiniPCI card please go to the following links: Wistron Neweb CM9 Atheros 802.11a/b/g mini-PCI The Super Range 5 (SR5) 400mw 802.11a mini-PCI
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 Above: A routerboard with MiniPCI Cards and Pigtails attached |
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1. c. A pigtailA pigtail, as the name suggests, is the final part of building and sealing of the little box which houses the RouterBoard and Wireless cards. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They must be bought to fit the particular Wireless cards you are using as there are two different connectors currently in use on Wireless Cards today.For some more information on pigtails and connectors please click here. We highly recommend speaking to someone from Air-Stream before purchasing any pigtails to ensure you purchase the correct connector as they are a little tricky to identify some times and there is nothing worse than getting all your gear and realizing it doesn't fit together!
1. d. Coax with 'N' ConnectorsOne of the key things to ensuring the signal from the Wireless card gets to the antenna correctly is the cable which links the two. The thinner the cable, or coax, the more loss there is. Now since wireless networking deals with such small numbers (in mW- milliwatts) any loss is a big loss. So using large 'N' connectors on large coax is the best way to ensure the least amount of loss. Air-Stream uses 'N' connectors on LMR-400 coax. Now unless you are an amateur radio operator this will mean next to nothing to you and this is ok! Its just very thick insulated coax. Air-Stream actually sells it, crimped, by the meter. So once you work out where you are setting up, you can request some cable to be made to spec. Just email the committee and ask for some coax to be made up.
1. e. AntennasThere are four basic types of Antennas for wireless networking.
Typically Air-Stream uses Dishes for long links and backhaul, while Omni's are used for Access Points. For more information, and where to purchase, please follow these links: 2.4 GHz Parabolic Grid Antenna, 24 dBi5.8 GHz Parabolic Grid Antenna, 26 dBi2.4GHz 8dBi Omni-directional Antenna
1. f. BoxesSo all of this gear we have just gathered needs to be housed some how as we want it to be as close to the antennas as possible to reduce loss. Typically for RouterBoards we have been purchasing boxes from Jaycar SEALED DIECAST ALUMINUM ENCLOSURE - 222 X 146 X 55MM However alternatives are wall boxes which have a door and hinges, it really depends where you are setting up. Air-Stream-Modbury-North uses the Aluminium Enclosures. Once the box is purchased, holes need to be cut for Pigtail bulkheads to be mounted into and for a gland for the network cable. This can be done with a drill, a dremel, whatever, as long as it is the right size for the pigtail bulk head to fit tightly and seal properly. The Aluminium lid has a rubber seal so the entire box is sealed and weather proofed.
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Above: Coax with 'N' Connectors
Above: An array of 2.4 and 5.8ghz dishes (2.4ghz dishes have the White Semicircle looking dipoles/tips)
Above: A typical Aluminium Enclosure with a single dish connected |
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2. A Pole or Mast to mount the gearSo all of the gear we just went through needs to be mounted onto something. Typically we used a Pole or Mast, but there are some window mounts available for some gear. In some rare cases we are able to utilize the existing TV antenna pole, which enables us to skip the mast installation all together! However most sites require installation of some kind, so we will now step through and follow the installation of Air-Stream-Modbury-North!
Now this installation is an Internally mounted Roof Mast. Meaning its actually mounted inside the roof and pokes out the roof, replacing a tile. This installation requires no Guy-Wires. So what was purchased to so such an installation?
And that's it, seems easy right? :)
The installation starts by scouting the area in the roof to check for mounting locations and areas of interest (cross beams etc)
Once all measurements were taken, the gear was the purchased. Now its installation time!
So we start by mounting the angle iron to the trusts in the roof, which is where the poll will mount to.
This is where the plank of wood went, to strengthen the base that the pole will be sitting on. |
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Now once all of the brackets are in place, its time to prepare the pole to drop into the roof. The pole needs to be cut to length (In this case, 4.5m), the end cap needs to be put on and the tile replacement boot slipped on before you take the pole up onto the roof. This ensures all you are doing is dropping the pole in while standing on tiles.
This is the tile replacement kit. It is a sheet of Aluminium with a rubber boot mounted into it. It is completely sealed to ensure no water will pass through. This completely replaces one tile. So later if you wish to remove the pole from the roof, simply take the pole out and put your original tile back. No modifications necessary.
Simply cut the rubber boot to size. There is markings on the rubber showing where to cut for what size pole.
Now make sure the end cap is securely on, and push the rubber boot over the end, and leave it near the top of the pole, as this is the last thing we will slide down to finish off the installation of the pole.
Now with the help of friends, slide the pole into the roof, and slot it into the Ubolts which are attached to your brackets. Get all ubolts around the pole now and roughly fasten, so you can make adjustments to the pole before securing the pole in place.
Finally once all ubolts are secured, slide the aluminium tile replacement down the pole and underneath the row of tiles above it. There are instructions written on the aluminium on how to install correctly. Once all tiles and slide back into place, all brackets are secured, you are done!
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So now that the pole is all installed you can jump on your roof and secure your air-stream hardware to your pole. Air-Stream-Modbury-North is starting out with 2x 2.4Ghz connections. One for a connection back to Air-Stream-Athelstone and one Omni antenna.
Just an example of what the box looks like when open.
The Box, 2.4ghz Dish and Omni Antenna's all mounted to the pole.
What it all looks like completed up on the roof! So that covers the basic installation of the wireless hardware. Now onto the cabling! |
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3. Cabling back to your own network and powerCabling your new installation is probably the easiest part. All that is required is that you get one Cat5/Cat5e/Cat6 cable back to your own network switch where it can plug into a PoE (Power over Ethernet) Adaptor and then into your network. The PoE adaptor helps cleanly split data from power. It has two ethernet (RJ45) sockets and one DC socket. They are all clearly labeled on the top of the adaptor and makes for a very neat looking installation. We typically use 24v power supplies on the RouterBoards as it ensures that if there is a current drop over the distance the board will still operate (As they operate on 12v - 36v). The 24v Plug Packs are available from Jaycar.
As you can see, the cable simply just pokes back into the roof from the box which is mounted on the pole.
So now just cable tie the cable to the mast inside the roof to keep it neat and tidy, and run the cable back to your computer room/network switch.
As you can see, it all plugs in nice and neatly and that's it, your Air-Stream installation is complete, your routerboard is powered, your network is connected, now it just needs fine tuning and software configuration and its done!
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SummarySo in summary, the hardware installation of an Air-Stream site is very easy, everything just clips and plugs together, depending on your installation there's not a huge amount of engineering that is actually required and once your hardware is in and alive you can get someone to come help configure the software side from the comfort of your computer room. Total Cost:
Thanks to DrGeforce3, Blue18 and Anthony for Help and Photos. |
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The Anthropology of Establishing a Community Wireless Network (from a Gastronomic Perspective)
Let’s face it – to engage in such revolutionary technical pursuits as pioneering community wireless networking is a task (or pleasure) which befalls a certain unique group within our society. Now, not to be too specific here, but we can safely make a couple of important generalisations without offending anyone too geekishly-inclined or other; we’re male, relatively young, externally socially inept yet internally socially adept, intelligent and have a passion for adventure, albeit polar opposite to in manifestation, but certainly as strong as your average extreme sports junkie.
One might say I have described your classic nerd, and for the most part, one would be right. What I have deliberately neglected to relate is any semblance of race, religion, education, class, wealth or gender – and with good reason. We are drawn together not by any of those things, but by the technology and the social acceptance, camaraderie and sense of achievement that goes with it.
And so it comes to pass that we have a group of young men who seek variety and flexibility in what they put into their bodies. It stands to reason that convenience is rated over nutrition, value over extravagance and clear heads over alcoholism. Well, most of the time anyway. Sure, booze has it’s place, but it’s generally not very prominent when you’re trying to develop a city-wide high speed network using cutting edge technology. I can’t see WarDrinkDriving being a very effective pastime either ...
The holy trinity of convenience plus flavour plus economy comes in no greater incarnation than the humble yiros. If all of those ancient cultures didn’t spend a couple of thousand years working out how to maximise the flavour of meat, disguise a token amount of salad amongst the awesomeness and wrap it in an edible ‘to-go’ package, where would we be, honestly? Who knows what would have happened if something like Christianity ruined their lives a couple of millennia earlier. One thing’s for sure – no yiros. Be warned, however, as not all yiroses are created equal. That said, finding an awesome one in Adelaide is not such a hard task as our fair city is so full of the wonderful people who brought these little parcels of meaty love to our shores in the first place.
Unfortunately such food of the (G[r]eek?) gods is not available when we geeks are at our most productive (read: after 1am). In such cases we find ourselves relegated to 24 hour options which are to put things nicely, slightly less wholesome. Late night testing means we’re either up a hill where we can see absolutely everything, or miles from the city where it’s flat, with no trees or interference. These locations are invariably always only a few minutes from Café de Vili’s. Such illusions are along the same lines as ‘too many pies are never enough’, but at Vili’s, one can see how this adage is often endeavored to be proven correct. Alas, however ironic it may be, a testament to the comparison of value and extravagance, the (often ordered) budget item on the menu at this bakery, is hot chips.
Convenience of the above foods in the company of one or two associates or while on the road leeching some poor soul’s net wireless testing is all well and good, but has it’s limitations. With many attendees, serious business is undertaken, and serious business means Banko.
There are many requirements to partaking in a good Banko. Make sure you can find a decent, cheap, suburban Chinese restaurant that has a large banquet (hence the term Banko) listed on their take away menu. Keep Bankoing around until you find some good chow, and If at all possible, try to find a restaurant that home delivers – If not, try to convince them, they know it will be worth their while. The minimum for a decent Banko is generally four, but the bigger the crowd, the more interesting things get. If certain parties aren’t at all happy with a certain dish or have a special request, make them change it. Again, a submissive Chinese restaurant is a good Chinese restaurant. A fake name must always be used, preferably a mixture of all of your names or nicknames, the more unconventional the better. A well planned Banko can not only put all participants smartly into MSG-induced comas, but can also leave significant remains for round two later in the evening. Much much later.
Whether it’s a crepe and a pint of ale after a long day up a mast, or a stack and an iced coffee to fit the mood as the sun creeps over the horizon, late night wind-downs have never felt so good. You’re tired, you’re hungry, you’ve accomplished more wifi last night than the rest of the city has all year and you’re pretty happy about it too. That’s why you’re at the Pancake Kitchen. It couldn’t get much better even if it was physically possible to crawl up inside a blanket-sized flapjack and sleep for a week.
Last, and yes, definitely least, out comes fast food. Only two reasonable occasions to visit such establishments come to mind, both while deliriously tired. If you’re lucky, one of your company will have challenged another to an eating competition. Fourty nuggets, eleven cheeseburgers, five pizzas ... you get the drift. Just make sure you be a good sport and buy the challenger a dessert if they succeed.
The other option is far less exciting ... you’re just ravenously hungry and the time it takes to get food is proportional to the number of people you stab. Sometimes when you just can’t be fucked, West Terrace is indeed the Promised Land.
Without question these choices of cuisine are of no surprise, but rest assured, these decisions are based purely in logic and rational thought, without prejudice or pre-conditioning. This allows us to cross all forms of social and cultural boundaries and do what geeks do best – envisage something never before achieved and then go out and make it happen. As French gastronomer Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin once said "Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are.", he most certainly would’ve taken one look at us and said “Air-Stream” ...
Jimmy Day / LoC
10th November 2009