Month Four: BPL Network Deployed (Crash and Burn), Sustainability

Melissa Niiya — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:45:36 +0000

This past Saturday, the wifi network that is a lovechild between the brutish broadband over powerline adapters and the delicate, flighty open mesh routers was deployed. And like any unholy demonspawn, the birth was painful. It seemed to be working for an hour, but it promptly went out right as we were leaving.

So, the BPL network so far is a no-go, but the good news (sort of) is that BPL is likely not to blame. The router that we're using to run the network is your average household netgear. Even the open mesh router directly connected to the netgear is not working; so likely, this is an issue related to the main router. I've had problems with netgears handling large amounts of bandwidth in the past, but it's more likely just not allowing the BPL adapters onto the network and will need to simply assign static IPs. If it's a bandwidth problem that's freezing up the router...well, maybe we'll have to invest in a better router or a switch. Hopefully we can get the network up before Thanksgiving.

The good thing about the deployment is that the residents at the Reno Building are AWESOME. So cool, eager to help and to learn, really happy that they'll have free internet. I've got to say, open mesh/BPL is pretty neat to deploy. We gave each resident their mesh unit, they placed it and came back downstairs, then we watched each unit come online. :3

I'm getting a little concerned, however, about the sustainability of some of the things I'm working on. I'm starting to realize that things like arranging meetings and training tenants in wifi maintenance and network administration are not tasks that we can reasonably expect most of the tenants to do. It's a lot of work to expect tenants to do. I'm hoping to come up with a more lasting solution (since when I'm gone, they won't have someone to train residents). Volunteer recruitment at local schools? Unpaid internships? I'm hoping there isn't too much resistance to me seeking out "trainers" to train. I've been spending a lot of time doing direct service (training tenants, now being asked to help teach a computer literacy class, running tech support errands). I'm not sure where to draw the line, even though I know there's that magical percentage number. And if I have to say, "No, can't do that," is there a good way to approach it? Will see how it goes.

Month Three: Community Outreach and Wiki Goes Live

Melissa Niiya — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:48:11 +0000

Right now, my major projects include...
1. Obtaining a contractor to build out several wifi networks in Koreatown. Attached is the request for proposals (RFP) I put together. We anticipate having 4-5 bidders, and we're doing a site walkthrough with the contractors on Wednesday. The bids are due on...the 11th I think? Then we get to read through and select the one that best meets our needs...exciting.

Building a small wifi network at one of our apartments. I think this will technically be our last in-house deployment. Just waiting on budget approval. I'll update with more about BPL as I deploy (and inevitably encounter problems!) but for now you can see the proposal. BPL + open mesh will provide more than adequate coverage of this small building, I think it's a good way to deploy in buildings with simple layouts and small floor plans like the one we're doing. The goal is to get it deployed before Thanksgiving. Eek. Physically deploying is the easy part, it's just getting the money.
Prepping donated computers to be given to families, to be given out after we launch the new wifi network.

Since last time, I finished the main sections of the Wireless Wiki, an online manual and community space to help residents maintain/troubleshoot their free wifi networks on their own:
http://wiki.littletokyounplugged.org/LTSCWireless/

Alsot held the first resident wifi meeting at one of the housing projects, Angelina Apartments. The wifi there is Meraki (a more expensive type of wireless mesh) and was set up about a year ago. The peeps who showed up seemed really interested in making the wifi better (it has been arguably spotty and not as good as it could be). So, will be working to install more gateways and access points, try to get coverage to all parts of the building.

Digital Arts Service Corps - LTSC

Month Four: BPL Network Deployed (Crash and Burn), Sustainability

Month Three: Community Outreach and Wiki Goes Live