Sputnik Community Gateway claims to turn any Intel-based laptop or PC into a turnkey, full-featured wireless gateway. Integrated software manages access by any wireless laptop or PDA. Version 1.1, released on April 29, 2002, features:
- PCI card support
- PLX card support
- Linux kernel 2.4.18
- Enhanced autoconfig of 802.11b card drivers
- Support for the latest PCMCIA cards based on the Intersil PRISM II and PRISM 2.5 chipsets
- Smaller ISO image (was 49 MB, now 30 MB)
Joltage Networks has a similar wireless package. It allows coffee shops and community networks to load the software and sign up wireless customers. Clients who pay $1.99 per hour or $24.95 a month (for up to 60 hours and 500 MB of download), don’t need software. They just add a Joltage connection profile to their network settings and log on anywhere they can find an affiliate hotspot — there are over 45 locations so far.
Boingo Wireless, another aggregator of “hot spots” was the first to offer flat rate pricing, nation-wide. They use Portal Software’s Infranet billing platform for their back-end solution with a different fee structure, about $7.95/day or $75/mo for unlimited service.
Rob Flickenger’s NoCat implements a third-party authentication system, designed to give node owners an alternative to the potentially risky “open gateway.” Written in Perl and designed to run under Linux, it:
- Presents the user with a network login prompt via an SSL-protected Web page.
- Verifies user credentials.
- Securely notifies the wireless gateway of the user’s status, and authorizes further access.
Another “free” community LAN technique “flashes” free Linux software on certain (obsolete) access points. It eliminates the PC, running community networking software right on solid state memory. It also works like a mesh network providing connectivity to nearby nodes. Instant802 has a FAQ on this still largely experimental technique.
Jim Thompson has designed a couple of devices that are ideal for Community LANs. The Musenki M-1 can act as a wireless bridge for networked devices, provide wireless backhaul as well as local access, for a fraction of the cost of competitive solutions while the Musenki M-3 supports up to 3 radios, of the same or different protocols, in a single AP.
AirBridge is promoting “one-click installation” with no software to load or configuration setting to make.
IP3 Networks has a hardware/software system that features built-in billing and IP security.
The Pronto Hotspot Networking System, has an integrated hardware and software solution for about $1500 that supports 802.11b, 802.11a, and Bluetooth. 802 Planet reports the hardware is about 8×5 inches and looks like a DSL modem. “You simply take the unit, plug it in. No hard drive, no CD drive. It’s a true plug-and-play solution.”
Right. Maybe a Cable Modem with integrated 802.11b or DSL with integrated 802.11b running Linux is the ticket. Something like an Intel Wireless Gateway with Sputnik or Joltage software and Navini’s wireless backbone might cut the wire and deliver a one-piece package.
Wi-Fi on a stick.
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