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Tuesday, July 12, 2011

FabFi - FabLab Global. FabFi is an open-source, FabLab-grown system using common building materials and off-the-shelf electronics to transmit wireless ethernet signals across distances of up to several miles.

What's a FabFi?
FabFi is an open-source, FabLab-grown system using common building materials and off-the-shelf electronics to transmit wireless ethernet signals across distances of up to several miles. With Fabfi, communities can build their own wireless networks to gain high-speed internet connectivity---thus enabling them to access online educational, medical, and other resources.
Project Summary (as of March 5, 2011)

Production Networks actively deployed in four locations across two countries
Afghanistan
- 45 remote FabFi nodes are currently deployed in and around Jalalabad, Afghanistan
- Longest link is 6,000m (3.72mi)
- Data throughput 11.5Mbps
- System extensible by anyone
- Materials to make an endpoint link are $60US and available locally
Kenya
- 50 remote FabFi nodes are currently deployed across three sites
- Longest link is 3,500m
- 6-hop Data throughput across 2,500m, > 30Mbps
- System provides WiFi direct to end-users
- Sytem integrates user accounting and management

Fabfi has been featured in numerous print and online media articles, including major tech blogs such as Gizmodo.com, BoingBoing.net, and NOS news in the Netherlands.

Read More...
http://fabfi.fablab.af/index.html

The Tech

While we like to give the impression that building fabfi consists of simply pointing a couple wifi routers at each other and calling it a day, there's an enormous amount of development that goes into creating that illusion. The current fabfi system does first-order integration with dozens of open-source projects, including:

OpenWRT
Coova-chilli and its awesome-chilli wrapper
Freeradius
Daloradius
Nagios
Squid

And with every day we're adding new tweaks to improve stability and performance that require testing in the UoN Fablab development network.

Hardware

The move to version 4.0 prompted the switch to all new hardware, while all the new routers are now working very well, we're still cleaning up the prototype reflector feeds for mass consumption. Info on the process and the designs can be found in the RF section of the wiki.

Read More...
http://fabfi.fablab.af/blog/

Overview | Tech Summary | Project Wiki | Blog | Download | Gallery
Get the FabFi 3.0 Distribution
Ready to make your own FabFi? Go to the wiki for directions for making a pair of reflectors and configuring the routers.
Reflector Design Files
As of version 4.0, the feeds from the designs below are all designed for the Linksys WRT64G. There are prototypes feeds the works for Ubiquiti devices (newer Linksys can be used with the old stuff, albeit somewhat ungracefully) but the designs are not yet finalized and therefore not posted here. For the latest on reflectors for Fabfi 4.0, check the new reflector wiki.

Note: These File Links are All on their site at, http://fabfi.fabfolk.com/distribution.html

Don

Reflector Size	.dxf	.art (Shopbot)	.png (cad.py)
Large (4' wide x 4' high x 0.500" thick material) This is the highest gain version we have designed. A pair can be cut from five 4' x 4' sheets.	sheet1 sheet2 sheet3	sheet1 sheet2 sheet3
Large w/weatherproof router box (4' wide x 4' high x 0.500" thick material) This is an updated version of the large antenna that integrates an acrylic weatherproof box for the router. Older models can be upgraded to this version by replacing piece "a" from sheet 2.	sheet1 sheet2 sheet3 Router Enclosure
Small (16" wide x 2' tall x 0.5" thick material) The small reflector is currently the most used in FabFi. A pair of these can be cut from one 4' x 4' sheet.	sheet1	sheet1
Small w/weatherproof router box(16" wide x 2' tall x 0.5" thick material) A version of the small reflector modified for an acrylic router enclosure. This version effectively deprecates the one above--even if you're not weatherproofing--unless you're particularly nostalgic. Router box requires a 12x24x.25" sheet of acrylic and is fabbed on the laser cutter.	Reflector Router Enclosure
X-Small (15" wide x 18' tall x 0.22" thick material) The x-small reflector is specifically designed to fit on 24" x 12" sheets that fit in the laser cutter. A pair of these can be cut from four 24" x 12" sheets.	sheet1 sheet2 sheet3		sheet1 sheet2 sheet3

Router Configuration Files v4.0
Beginning with version 4.0, all code development and downloads have been moved to google code and we are supporting a new suite of devices (support for old hardware is coming eventually). Fabfi 4.0 has a lot of added features and works a lot differently than previous versions. It is in no way backwards compatible with earlier fabfi firmware.
For 4.0 installation instructions and files for advanced development start here.
For fast access to the latest firmware builds, for LinksysWRT160NL, Ubiquiti NanostationM-loco and PicostationM, go here.
Router Configuration Files v3.0
The install process is totally revamped with version 3.0! Be sure to check out the wiki for new installation instructions. If you already know what you're doing, the image you need (depending on your device) is one of these:
fabfi-linksys_wrt54gl.bin (for new wrt54gl)
fabfi-linksys_wrt54gl.trx (for wrt54gl with Openwrt installed already)
fabfi-asus_wl520gu.trx (for all wl520gu)

If you're upgrading from 2.x, use:
upgrade-pre (see here for instructions)

For 3.x users looking for the latest updates without a total reflash, use:
fabfi-update (see here for instructions)

Imagebuilder config files are here:
imagebuilder_configs.tgz
Router Configuration Files v2.1
fabfi-firmware.bin
fabfi-setup script for autoconfiguration of routers
- OR -
manual router configuration files: fabfi-files.tgz

Get the v2.1 router config instructions here.
Older Configuration Files
Insist on living in the past? Dig up what you need HERE

Go there...
http://fabfi.fabfolk.com/distribution.html

Router Tech Old

Follow the links below for Router Tech pages corresponding to older fabfi verions:

Go there...
http://wiki.fablab.af/index.php/Router_Tech_Old

What is OpenWrt?

OpenWrt is described as a Linux distribution for embedded devices.

Instead of trying to create a single, static firmware, OpenWrt provides a fully writable filesystem with package management. This frees you from the application selection and configuration provided by the vendor and allows you to customize the device through the use of packages to suit any application. For developer, OpenWrt is the framework to build an application without having to build a complete firmware around it; for users this means the ability for full customization, to use the device in ways never envisioned.

> Supported Devices

Read More...
https://openwrt.org/

JoinAfrica is a distributed internet service provider operated by people in your community. JoinAfrica offers both high-performance paid access and a limited free service. You can connect to the network with any wifi-enabled device. Just look for the "JoinAfrica" SSID. Click on the links above to learn more.

JoinAfrica was created by an international collaboration focused on demonstrating that individuals and local communities can sustainably build, operate and monetise broadband networks on a large scale. Designed on the principle of universal access, the JoinAfrica system uses excess paid capacity to provide limited free connectivity as a public service. This "freemium" model of service delivery helps to builds local online communities faster while allowing local operators enough revenue to sustainably maintain and grow their networks.

Read More...
http://www.joinafrica.org/kenya/

I have a Linksys WRT54G v8.0 Router and I have been wanting to replace the Firmware with OpenWrt or one of the other Open Router Firmwares. So, this Project is very interesting tome me personally. I will admit that there is a steep learning curve for me here. But, if I get OpenWrt (or other Open Firmware) successfully installed on my Linksys or maybe my Zonet Router or maybe even my brand new TrendNet Router (if it will work). Then next, I may be going out into the Garage to Drag out that old Roll of Chicken Wire or Window Screen, I have out there (see the build instructions for the Signal Gain Antenna;) I don't actually have a need for Wifi that covers a couple of miles now. I generally get 18mbps from my Cable ISP here. But, what if I get to move way out into the Country? Like I've been dreaming of for years... I use to live way out in the Styx. Back in the days before the Internet and my Addiction to it... Sadly, I sold the place and moved back in 1992. But happily for my present love for the Internet!;)

Don