Wireless Network Access Point (WNAP) Set Up Guide

or: How To Set Up a TWCN Node

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2. Introduction & Philosophy

2.1 Introduction

Setting up a Wireless Network Access Point (WNAP) can be as complicated, or as easy as you want. The first thing to remember is that you're basically adding wireless functionality to your existing network. In some cases, your existing network may consist only of your Internet connection, and one computer (yes, that actually constitutes a network). In other cases your network may be a sprawling wealth of wires that connect dozens of machines together (including that ugly 100 foot cable running across the kitchen floor to the server in the basement).

2.2 Philosophy

The philosophy behind this document is a very simple one: an individual's network, and bandwidth, is theirs to do with as they see fit. As a result, should an individual choose to allow the public access to these resources, it is their right to do so.

Many people have chosen to describe public WNAPs as "parasitic", or networks of such as "piranha grids". Proponents of this line of thinking are quick to cite a wide variety of potentials for network abuse, security/authentication violations, and general misuse. While there is little doubt that the construction and proliferation of WNAP's is not a task to be taken lightly, so long as people move forward in a conscientious and responsible manner, these potentials are quite simple to manage.

If you wish to more fully explore the philosophical implications of these networks, you're embarking into the world of "Information Ecology". Do some searches, and no doubt you'll find some good reading. You might also be interested in "Peer to Peer" (P2P) networking, and the Open Source movement; both have many philosophical similarities to Wireless Community Networks such as TWCN.

For more information:

• Association for Community Networks (AFCN) Website
  (http://www.afcn.org/)
• "A 'parasitic grid'? At these rates?" by David Sims
  (http://www.oreillynet.com/cs/weblog/view/wlg/647)
• "The Cathedral and the Bazaar
  (http://www.tuxedo.org/~esr/writings/cathedral-bazaar/cathedral-bazaar/index.html#CATB)
• "Microsoft Business: Unleash The Wireless Future
  (http://www.microsoft.com/business/articles/exec/exec2/exec2wireless.asp)

TWCN, like many such networks, is slowly defining its own philosophy, goals, etc. You'll probably be hard pressed to find a "set in stone" statement of philosophy for any Wireless Community Network, including ours, because the people involved are doing it for so many different reasons.

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Title: Wireless Network Access Point (WNAP) Set Up Guide, or: How To Set Up a TWCN Node
Authors: Jason Hammerschmidt (ffff654.noSPAM.at.yahoo.com), and Jason Ramsay-Brown
Contributors: Emir Alikadic, Hugh Reilly
Version: 1.0, April 2nd, 2002.

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