So Cal Free Net.org

Here's some preliminary thoughts following up on this week's SDWUG meeting discussion. I propose that we spec and build a standard relay configuration consisting of:

1. soekris 4501 board (the 64MB miniPCI Card non-POE version)
2. EnGenius (Senao) miniPCI radio
3. outdoor case with N-Female, hole for cat-5 cable
4. m0n0wall software (most likely)
5. standard yagi or omni antenna

My thinking about the various parts of this is:

1. Runs a bunch of stuff, low power, flexible.
2. 160mW, good receiver, cheap, external antenna connector.
   -ve: HostAP software on FreeBSD can't turn down the power which would be handy sometimes!
3. Plastic box that's showerproof. Should run < $50. I hate the extra connector loss but figure its worth it for the convenience of a standard connector and less worries about straining pigtails, sealing holes etc.
4. m0n0wall is rock solid, fast, but most important, ALL the config is stored in one single text (XML) file. Need to convince myself it will do straight bridging for the relay but am 99% sure it will. Configured as an AP, m0n0wall will give us DHCP, DNS caching etc., if we want, and hopefully captive portal in the next couple of months too.
5. yagi is easier than a panel to mount. Less obtrusive than a parabolic.

I further propose that we price all installations at flat fee of $1000. In an easy install we should aim to have $100 left over to put towards site survey equipment etc. Rough cost list including shipping & taxes is: $200 (Soekris) + $80 (Senao) + $100 (case with connector and pigtail) + $50 (POE + cat 5 cable, crimp connectors) + $70 (antenna) = $500. We could probably do a little better in quantity (e.g. Soekris drops to $156 for 5+). A fixed price simplifies quoting for landlords / whoever, and also allows us to pre-purchase in quantity without getting into all the bits of paper that reimbursement requires.

(Hmm, $1000 doesn't include mounting hardware or a tripod if need be... might be barely enough...)

A cheaper option is to put two radios on one Soekris as BAWUG/SFLan do with their kit, http://www.archive.org/iathreads/uploaded-files/AstridB-PICT0017.JPG, but I worry about interference reducing throughput as described here
http://lists.nocat.net/pipermail/nocatnet/2003-July/002138.html ,
http://lists.nocat.net/pipermail/nocatnet/2003-July/002163.html and
http://lists.nocat.net/pipermail/nocatnet/2003-September/002347.html.

Anyhow, this is long enough for one post. I look forward to some feedback!

(Edited Feb 4 to reflect change from Soekris 4511 to 4501).